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A RECORD OF EDUCATION. 



THE 



SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 



OF 



DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, 



1 644- 1 904. 



By CARLOS SLAFTER. 



Privately Printed. 



Dedham Transcript Press: 
1905. 



■ iVy yUU!Ki 



'^1^^ 



I AUG «9 J 905 
I ^uxi. 9. /9a i' 



L, 



i& 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1905, 

by Carlos Slafter, in the office of the Librarian 

of Congress at Washington. 



PREFACE. 



It is the design of this volume to show the origin and 
growth of school privileges in an old New England town. 
As the chief factor of every school is the teacher, special 
attention has been given to ascertain who have held that 
responsible office in Dedham ; for it is not to be doubted that 
their influence has shaped in a large degree the moral and 
intellectual character of the town. In making up this record 
we have often thous^ht how difficult it would be to estimate the 
work of this long procession of public servants, under whose 
care the minds of Dedham citizens have been nurtured. We 
have therefore judged such a record worthy of preservation as 
a vital part of our town's history. As constant care was 
exercised that fit persons only should have charge of school 
instruction, it has been a chief pleasure in preparing this work 
to feel that it is done in behalf of men and women whose 
names ought not to be forgotten. 



THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS. 



In 1634 the territory of Dcdliam, excepting tlie grassy 
meadows bordering on the Cliarles and Neponset rivers, and 
perhaps a few Indian cornfields, was still covered with a dense 
forest. A year later a small number of enterprising men from 
Watertown had discovered its value and desired to make it 
their permanent home ; and, to express entire satisfaction with 
their choice, would have called it Contentment. The next 
year, IGolJ, the town, in answer to their petition, was incor- 
porated by the General Court of Massachusetts Bay, but it was 
named Dedham. The eight following years were a constant 
and hard struggle in subduing wild nature and making the 
place a safe and comfortable home for English emigrants. At 
the close of that period a little village or hamlet, consisting 
mostly of log houses covered with thatch, was clustered 
around the spot where the county buildings now stand ; and 
the area now occupied by Dedham Village was mostly 
cleared and under cultivation. A road connected the little 
settlement with Boston by way of Roxbury, and others were 
opened through East Street and to the estates occupying the 
tillage land of the Central plain. Thus the vigorous town was 
planted and had taken firm root in a congenial soil. 

We come now to the next step in the quiet and orderly 
progress of this young community. 

The founders of Dedham evinced in many ways their 
capacity for wise forethought. They evidently regarded them- 
selves as the builders of a town for M'hose future character 
they would be held responsible. While they made many good 
regulations for securing private and individual rights, they 
never forgot to plan for the benefit of coming generations. 



6 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Accordingly, as soon as they had established homes of a very 
primitive style, with very few comforts and no luxuries, they 
turned thoir thoughts to the subject of education ; and there is 
no doubt that the presence in the little settlement of several 
men who had been trained in the universities of the mother 
country had a most favorable influence in shaping the measures 
ivhich they adopted. 

In the town records of 1(538 four persons have Mr. pre- 
fixed to thoir names, to indicate that they had taken the 
Master's degree at a University. These w^ere John Allin, the 
first minister of Dedham ; Timothy Dalton, the first minister 
of Hampton, N. H. ; Thomas Carter, ordained in Woburn, 
1642, and Ealph Wheelock. 

On the second day of January, 1642-3, fifty-one persons 
wore present at a goneral meeting of the Town, in which the 
allotment of land was considered ; and in the record of its 
proceedings is the following statement : 

It was with an unanimous consent concluded that some portion 
of land in this entended division should be set apart for publique use: 
viz for the Towne, the Church and a fre Schoole ; viz 40 acres at the 
leaste or 60 acres at the most. 

This " unanimous consent" indicates a truly commendable 
liberality and public spirit, and that there were in the town 
wise counsellors to control its plans for public improvements. 
It also leads us to expect further ste})S in the same direction ; 
and we are not surprised at the memorable action of a town 
meeting two years later. This is so fitly described in the 
Records that we give it here without abridgment, and also 
include the names of those who were present and participated 
in the good work. 

1644. At a meeting the first day of the Eleventh Month, Assem- 
bled those whose names are under written with other the Inhabitants 
of this Town : M'' Jn"' Allen past^ John Hunting EW Hen Chicker- 
ing, Tho. Wight, Jn° Thu[rston], Anthony Fisher, Jos. Fisher, Dan 
Fisher, Jno Luson, Mr. Ralph Wheelocke, J no Gaye, William BuUard, 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 7 

Jno Bullard, Robt. Grossman, Hen Wilson, Jno N[ewton], Edw. Col- 
ver. Hen. Smith, Nath Colborne, Nath. AlduSj Hen Phillips, Sam^ 
Morse, Dan Morse, Jno. Morse, Jos. Kingsbury, Jno. Dwite, Lamb. 
G[enery], Edw. Kemp, Edw. Richards, Tho. Leader, Geo. Bearstowe, 
Jonath. Fairbanks, Mich Powell, Mich Metcalfe juno'', Jno Metcalfe, 
Jno Frarey, Eli. Lusher, R[obt] Hinsdell, Pet. Woodward, Jno Guyle, 
Rich. Evered, Robt. Gowinge, &ce. 

The said Inhabitants, taking into Consideration the great necesitie 
of providing some means for the education of the youth in o'' s'd 
Towne, did with an unanimous consent declare by voate their willing- 
ness to promote that worke, promising to put too their hands to provide 
maintenance for a Free Schoole in our said Towne. And farther did 
resolve and consent, testifying it by voate, to rayse the summe of 
Twenty pounds p annu. towards the maintaining of a Schoole M'' to 
keep a free Schoole in our s'd Town. 

And also did resolve and consent to betrust the s'd 20^ per annu 
& certain lands in o'' Towne, formerly set apart for publique use, into 
the hand of Feofees to be presently chosen by themselves, to imploy the 
sd 20;^, and the land afors'd, to be improved for the use of the said 
Schoole : that as the profits shall arise from the said land, every man 
may be proportionably abated of his some of the s'd 20^ aforesaid, 
freely to be given to the use aforesaid. And y* y® said Feofees shall 
have power to make a Rate for the necesary charg of improving the s'd 
land : they giving account thereof to the Towne, or to those whom they 
should depute. John Hunting, E^^''', Eliazer Lusher, Francis Chicker- 
inge, John Dwight & Michael Powell, are chosen Feofees and betrusted 
in the behalf of the school as afore said. 

The school thus established, to be managed by Feoffees, 
was designed to continue seven years, as will appear in the 
following record relating to the training ground : 

1644. 4"^ 12"^°. Granted to the Feofees for the free schoole in Ded- 
ham for the use of the s'd schoole a parcel of the Training ground so 
much as shall be set out to them by the Towne, which said p'cel is 
granted from this present day unto the last day of the eighth month 
which shall be in the year 1650. Hen. Chickering, Eli. Lusher & 
Hen. Phillips deputed to set out the s'd parcell of Land above said. 



8 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

The Common near the Dexter School is a part of the old Training 
Ground, and to use it as a playground for "the s'd Schoole " seems 
to accord with the original grant to the Feofifees. 

The records of the Feoffees have not been preserved, so 
that we are not able from their records to give the names of 
the teachers under their administration. There is, however, 
no doubt that according to a family tradition, Ralph Wheelock, 
the ancestor of the first and second presidents of Dartmouth 
College, taught during that time ; this is rendered the more 
probable from the fact that during the seven years, from 1644 
to 1651, he was not called to perform public duties which 
would interfere with his work as a teacher, though previously 
he had been employed almost constantly in other oiEces of the 
town ; and after removing to Mcdfield he was the first teacher 
there for several years. 

This first Dedham teacher was born in 1600, in County 
Salop, or Shropshire, England ; was educated at Clare Hall, 
Cambridge University; took his degrees in 1626 and 1631; 
came to New England in 1637 with his wife Rebecca, first to 
Watertown, then to Dedham in 1638 ; became a freeman there 
March 13, 1639 ; was representative in the Great and General 
Court 1639 and 1640; Clerk of the Writs, 1642, as successor 
of Edward Alleyne deceased ; taught school from 1644 to 
1651, a seven years covenant; then removed to Medfield and 
represented the new town in the General Court from 1653 to 
1656 ; taught the first school of Medfield from 1656 several 
years ; and died Jan. 11, 1684, in his 84tli year. He has been 
fitly eulogized as a fine type of the New England Puritan. 
It was most fortunate for the school to have so able a man 
for its first teacher. His learning and his fidelity gave it seven 
years of prosperity and made this earliest experiment of popu- 
lar education a complete success. 

When the school had been in operation three years, the 
General Court of Massachusetts, in which the representative 
from Dedham was one of the Feoffees of the Free School, en- 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 9 

acted its first statute relating to education. That the success- 
ful experiment of Dedham influenced the General Court, we 
cannot doubt. The example of this town seems to have de- 
termined the policy of the colony. It is also remarkable that 
this first statute included for towns containing a hundred 
families, the idea of a high school such as Dedham was already 
enjoying. In giving the text of the Statute, we consult the 
comfort of our readers by adopting modern spelling and dis- 
carding abbreviations which, though pleasing to antiquarians, 
are no help to the one who is reading for information. 

Statute of 1647. 

It being one chief project of that old deluder, Satan, to keep 
men from the knowledge of the Scriptures, as in former times by 
keeping them in an unknown tongue, so in these latter times by per- 
suading from the use of tongues, that so at least the true sense and 
meaning of the original might be clouded by false glosses of saint- 
seeming deceivers ; that learning may not be buried in the grave of 
our fathers in the church and commonwealth, the Lord assisting our 
endeavors, — 

It is therefore ordered, that every township in this jurisdiction, 
after the Lord hath increased them to the number of 50 householders, 
shall then forthwith appoint one within their town to teach all such 
children as shall resort to him to write and read, whose wages shall 
be paid either by the parents or masters of such children, or by the 
inhabitants in general, by way of supply, as the major part of those 
that Older the prudentials of the town shall appoint : provided, those 
that send their children be not oppressed by paying much more than 
they can have them taught for in other towns; and it is further 
ordered that where any town shall increase to the number of one 
hundred families or householders, they shall set up a grammar school, 
the master thereof being able to instruct youth, so far as they may be 
fitted for the university, provided that, if any town neglect the per- 
formance hereof above one year, every such town shall pay ;^5 to 
the next school till they shall perform this order. 

This legislation required no change in Dcdham's educa- 
tional system but was in perfect harmony with it, and the 



10 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

school received the regular support of the town, and soon 
required a building for its accommodation. The following record 
shows the action of the town : 

Jan. 1648-9 At a General meeting of the Town. . . A schoole 
house and a Watch house is resolved to be built this next yeare the 
care whereof is left to the select men. 

Fortunately we have the specifications for this first school- 
house and the watch-house combined with it. In the records 
of the selectmen, the neat handwriting of Capt. Lusher has 
preserved for us the following account of this early temple of 
learning : 

11 mo 15. 1648, Assemb : Hen Chickering, Joh Kingsbury, Joh- 
Dwight, Tho. Wight, Fra Chickering, Joshu. Fisher, & Elea : Lusher 
A school house to be built as followeth, together w"' a watch house. 

the length 18 foote, being 14 foote beside the chimney, the wide- 
ness 15 foote, the studd 9 foot betwixt joynts, one floore of Joyce : 2 
convenient windowes in the lower roome & one in the chamber, the 
plancher layed, the floor planked, the stayers made, the sides boarded, 
feather-edged and rabbited, the doors made & hanged. 

the watch house to be a leanto set at the back of the chimeny sixe 
foote wide, the length therof two foote & one half mor than the house 
is wide, so placed that the end therof may extend past the corner of 
the house, so that the watch may have an aspect 4 severall wayes. & 
open windowes therein suitable to a watch house : & covered w*'^ 
board up to those windowes & upon the roofe, & a mandle tree hewen 
& fitted for the Chimney." 

It is supposed that this building stood very near, if not 
on, the spot where the Unitarian Vestry now stands ; and we 
have only to imagine the busy hum of school work filling the 
east room by day, and the faithful watching of the sentinel from 
the windows of the west-end leanto during the long and lonely 
nights, to understand how child and man in those old days 
performed their several parts in laying the foundation of a free 
school and a free state. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 11 

The cost of this little school house is shown by the follow- 
ing record of a town debt paid out of the rate of 1648 by John 
Morse, constable : 

" To Jno. Thurston for work about the School house 11;^ 00-03." 

The chimney of the same either was not immediately built, 
or had to be soon renewed ; as we find this record late in 1651 : 

"jSergt. Fisher & Eleazer Lusher ar requested to treate and con- 
clude w**^ a workman, or workmen for ye building of a Chimney in y® 
schoole house." At the same time " Br. Dwight is requested to treate 
& conclude w"' a workman for y® shingling of y® schoole house." 

A little later among the accounts we find as follows : 

" For building the Schoole house chimney 3£: for boards, nayles 
Schoole house 1^ 8 ^ "; also " to Tho. Batteley in pt for shingling y® 
Schoole house 1^ 18-7." The same year Tho. Batteley is called to 
account for taking " boarding & shingling timber w"'out Leave." 

The total cost of the completed edifice was 17£ 6s lOd, or 
a little less than 87 dollars in present money. 

It is an interesting fact, that, in the records of the first 
meeting of the Selectmen after the resolve to build the school- 
house, there occurs this brief item : " Mr. Wheelocks motion 
for advice answered." As the teacher of the school, it would 
be reasonable and perfectly natural for him to seek information 
about the proposed building. 

The preceding account covers the first seven years of the 
school ; and for continuing the history we find but meagre as- 
sistance in the town records. Still there is enough to show 
that the spirit of the people had not changed, and that their 
purpose was still to be carried out. Thus the record runs : 

At a general town meeting 1651. , . It is resolved that a 
school for the education of youth in our town shall be continued and 
maintayned the whole term of seven yeares next, and that the settled 
mayntenance or wages of the Schoole M' shall be 20^ p ann at y® 
leaste: A Towne Stocke shall be raysed to the summe of 20;{^ at y® 
least. 



12 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEKS 

This shows that the first seven years had been so satis- 
factory that no change was desired in the management. No 
new election of feoffees was recorded, and we may presume 
that the same men continued to hold the office. 

But Mr. Wheelock's ' ' covenant for the school-keeping " 
had expired, and his interests had been transferred to Med- 
field. The 20£ for the master's salary had been voted but no 
record tells who was the teacher for 1652. Tradition, however, 
points plainly to Mr. John Brock, the first man from Dedham 
to graduate at Harvard College, 1648. He was in Dedham in 
1652. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth, having died in 1650, 
he sold his inherited estate in Dedham in 1652. He preached 
and taught schools at Rowley and Isles of Shoals ; and was 
ordained at Reading, Nov. 13, 1662 ; and died there June 18, 
1688. Cotton Mather made his funeral sermon ; and Judge 
Sewall in his diary says : " Mr. Brock was very laborious in 
catechising and instructing youth." But the next year a change 
was made in the care of the school whereby it passed into the 
hands of the selectmen. The following record of a general 
meeting indicates this : 

S'^ of 11 mo 1652. The question concerning the Schoole being 
kept only in winter being proposed for Resolution, the answer is : 
That the selectmen that shall be this daye chosen shall attend to 
procure a fitt schoole M"" at the beginning of the summer ; and if it 
p've difhcult, or not to be attayned, they may p'.pose the case to the 
Towne for further resolution. 

At this day, when well qualified teachers are so abundant, 
we can hardly realize the difficulty of maintaining the high 
standard set up by the Feoffees of the Dedham School. But 
such teachers as Wheelock and Brock were " not to be at- 
tayned." England was not driving out into the wilds of 
America so many of her university graduates, and tlie little 
college at Cambridge was not sending out many young men 
willing to teach awhile before they began to preach in the new 
towns now anxious to secure them as pastors. 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 13 

But the selectmen now being authorized to find a school- 
master, acted promptly, and from the records of their clerk we 
are able to give the name of the first teacher which they 
employed. 

18 of y® 1 mo. Assemb. Job. Kingsbery, Fra. Chickering, Lieft. 
Fisher, Job. Dwight, Sergt Fisher & Elea. Lusher, Pet. Woodward 
Agreed w*^ Jacob Farrow to keep the Schoole to begin 28 of 1 mo 
1653 to have 20^^ pr an. to be payed in town paye being merchantible 
at the end of each halfe yeare the one halfe of the saide sume. he 
undertakes to teach to read English and the Accidence & to write & 
the knowledg & art of Arithmetick & the rules & practice thereof : 
this to be p'posed to the towne. 

The fact that Mr. Farrcr undertook to teach the " Acci- 
dence," shows him to have had a knowledge of Latin, as this 
was doubtless Brinsley's Accidence, a latin grammar, published 
in 1612, and widely used in the schools of England. 

The record is completed the same day as follows : 

The above written agreem*^ w'*^ a schoole M'' was this day p'posed 
to the towne after Lecture & consented unto 

-^ seems to have entered upon his duties 

yt^Cc^ Jn-a.Ar)r&yf^ according to the contract. Six 
^^ months later this contract is modified, 

as shown bj'^ the record, as follows : 

Upon the Request and motion of Jacob Farrow its consented 
unto that himselfe or his Brother shall attend the keeping the Schoole 
according to the Coven' formerly made w"' the said Jacob & the 
Coven' to remaine in force as it is. 

How long these brothers, John and Jacob Farrer, had 
charge of the school, it is not possible to determine. It was 
probably less than a year. They were emigrants from Lan- 
cashire, Eng., John being the older, and both went to Lan- 
caster in 1653 or 4. Two of Jacob's sons were killed by the 
Indians about 1675. He died in Woburn August 14, 1677, 
whither he had fled, and where John had lived since 1656. 
The latter died the 11th of July, 1690, "very aged." Jacob 



14 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Farrer was a surveyor and was much occupied in laying out 
the allotments of land in the town of Lancaster. The descend- 
ants of John and Jacob Farrer are numerous, and several of 
them have been eminent as scholars. 

The next schoolmaster was Lieut. Joshua Fisher, who 
appears to have consented to keep the school a short time when 
it was difficult to obtain a teacher. His appointment is thus 
recorded : 

11 of y® 10 mo 54 Agreed with Lieut. Fisher to keepe schoole 
in our Towne for the same alloweance that the former schoole M'' had 
proportionable to the time he shall attend the same, which at present 
is but for this winter time ; who afterwards shall be discharged thereof 
at any time after he have given one weeks notice. 

The Lieutenant did not on account of his school duties 
cease to be a selectman or to receive pay for ' ' dyeting " the 
selectmen. A curious entry in the records about the close of 
his term, reads thus : 

Lieut Fisher is requested and undertakes to repayer the broken 
panes of glasse in the meeting house so farre as he may finde glass 
spare for that use. 

AVas his school too near the meeting house? 

The following record was made : 

3 of 10 mo. 16oo. The Rate made for the payment of Lieft, 
Fisher for the time he kept the school being 4 months, and one week, 
and for wood he expended upon that occasion the sum being 7£ 13^ 4^. 

It seems to have been the custom to make a rate for the 
teacher's pay once in six months. In the last instance sixty- 
six persons were taxed to pay the Schoolmaster. 

Lieut. Joshua Fisher Avas the son of Joshua of Med field, 
born at Syleham, Eng., in 1620; came to New England in 
1637 ; made freeman 1639 ; married Mary Aldis at Dedham 
Nov. 16, 1643; married Widow Lydia Oliver of Boston, 1654; 
was Selectman 22 years from 1648 ; Town Clerk 4 years ; was 
an Inn Keeper and Surveyor. He was almost constantly em- 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 15 

ployed in the business of the town near to the time of his 
death, which occurred August 10, 1672. 

The scarcity of teachers at this time became troublesome. 

28 of y^ 1 mo 1656 Lieft Fisher and Ensign Chickering are 
deputied to treat with Willy Woodward about the keeping schoole & 
and to receive & return to the select men his direct answer. 

There is no record of his "direct answer," but probably 
there was no long vacation in 1656. 

Mr. Woodward probably taught a part of the year. He 
became a preacher and served the town occasionally in that 
capacity, for which services money was paid to his executor 
after his early decease. He was the son of Peter Woodward 
of Dedham and for a time member of Harvard College ; " was 
probably one of the seventeen who left college in 1655 without 
a degree." John Hull in his diary calls him "a young and 
powerful preacher." 

In December of that year the Selectmen bethought them- 
selves of their venerable neighbor as is shown by the following 
passage in their records : 

to be proposed at the generall meetinge that a School M'' being not 
yet attayned nor like conveniently to be speedily Supplyed & the 
late select men conceaveing that Brother Metcalf might be useful 
that waye, & being treated withall seemes not wholly averse, it is 
desired the towne would consider it at present and declare them selves. 

On the " 5th of the 11 mo 1656 " the Town did "declare 
themselves " as follows : 

The Towne did by voate give a call to Bro. Metcalfe to keep 
schoole in our Towne & leave it to the Select men to agree with him 
therein. 

The former schoolmaster, Joshua Fisher, now becomes 
Town Clerk, and in his handwriting we find the contract made 
with Mr. Metcalf. 

9 of 11 mo 1656. Agreed with Michaell Metcalfe for to keep 
the schoole for the year insuinge, the said Michael doe undertake to 
teach the children that shall be sent to him to reade English and to 



16 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

write : all which he do undertake faithfully to do : in consideration 
whereof we doe engage he shall receive from the town the summe of 
twenty pounds two therd partes in wheate att the price of the towne 
or Countrie Rate and the other parte of the paye in other corne at 
price above mentioned, and the schoole to be kept at the school 
house except the weather be extreame to hinder, and then he is to 
atend it at his owne dwellinge house : and the towne is to take care 
to have the harth layde in the schoole house forth with, and to have 
the windows made fitt : & wood for the fire to be layd in att the 
schoole house : we ingage to call upon the parents of the children 
that they carefully provide it in due time. 

And it is agreed that the therd part above expressed to be payed 
in other corne shall not bee above one therd part in Indian corne : 
and in the heat of the weather if the said Michael desire to use the 
metinge house he may so doe provided the house be left clene against 
any publiq use of the house, and also that the windows be made good 
if any be broken, and any other damage made good that is done by 
the use of the metinge house in that kind : and the school to begin 
the 19 day of this present mo : and the pay is to be quarterly as is 
above expressed, that is 5£ a quarter. 

It is hardly to be supposed that Mr. Metcalf taught only 
readinoj and writino;, but rather that he ao-reed to teach these 
at least to all the pupils. There is now in existence the iden- 
tical arithmetic which he used as a teacher of the school. 
This book, an enlarged edition of Robert Record's arithmetic, 
was published in 1G30, and is now in the archives of the Ded- 
liam Historical Society. He Avas born at Tatterford, Norfolk 
Co., England, in 158(3 ; consequently he was seventy years old 
when he became a schoolmaster. To escape from persecution 
he took passage for America April IG, 1()37, and was admitted 
townsman of Dedham July 14, 1G37. He was evidently much 
respected for intelligence, which caused his townsmen to turn 
to him for assistance in the business of education. That any 
dissatisfaction should appear, to annoy Mr. Metcalf, seems very 
strange ; but here is proof that some were ready to find fault. 
Town-clerk Fisher made this record : 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 17 

IG*^** of the 12 mo 1656. Upon the complaint of some of the 
Inhabitance that the school Master refuse to teach such childring as 
are above fourteen yeares of age the men hereunder named are de- 
puted to goe and treate with the school master about the covenant 
wherein it is expressed he should teach all that are sent to him to 
Wright and read. 

No early schoolmaster was required to teach spelling, as 
the subject was not considered important. In the arithmetic 
used by Master Metcalf the same word is sometimes spelled in 
three different Avays in the same paragraph. The trouble did 
not become serious, for in a few days, at a general meeting, 
the following vote was passed : 

The Town doe give Micell Metcalfe a call to keep school the 
year insuinge and leave it to the next select men to agree with him 
for 20;^ a yeare. 

Near the end of this second year, on the fourth of the 
twelfth month, he was requested to keep another year, when 
his reply was " that at present he was not ripe to give an 
answer," so it was agreed that he should continue a month on 
the same terms as before, and then they might come to an 
agreement. At the end of the month they made a similar con- 
tract with j\ir. Metcalf for a year, " or so long therein as God 
shall enable him." It was specified "that if any inhabitant 
shall take any child or children to that end to send them to 
schoole " the schoolmaster might refuse to teach them until 
they gave him satisfaction. It Avas also provided 

that he shall be required no more highe waye work but only one 
daye work of one man «& a teame, and one day more of a man. And 
no advantage shall be taken to discount for not attending the Schoole 
except it be discontinued a full weeke together. 

But it is evident that this year was not completed accord- 
ing to the contract. On the 6th of the 10th month " the want 
of a school M"^ " was a subject of debate in the board of Select- 
men. 



18 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

The following record of the Selectmen introduces the 
next Schoolmaster. 

6. of 10 [mo] 59 . . being met to finish the Countrey Rate, the 
consideration of the want of a schoolm'' being p[ro]posed it is vpon 
debating the case resolued to give a calle to Thomas Marret jun"^ of 
Cambridg to keep the schoole for a quarter of a yeare vpon the allow- 
eance p[ro]portionable to the sail ary formerly agreed vpon in that case 
that is 5^ for that quarter & to be pd halfe in wheat and half in other 
corne. 

A brief trial of Master Marret resulted in his favor ; and 
four days later the Selectmen 

" Agreed with Thomas Marrett that he shall continue to keepe 
the schoole in Towne so long as to make the time one whole yeare 
from the time he began, that is, the 3 of January 1659, for the Summe 
of 20;^ to be pd one halfe in wheat and the other halfe in Indian 
Corne at price Current in Towne being merchantable ; and he under- 
takes to attend the teaching of the schollars sent to Schoole accord- 
ing as the former schoolm'". Michall Metcalfe did engage." 

On the eleventh of Feb. 1660 another agreement is made 
with Master Marret which for quaintness and caution is a 
curiosity. 

Agreed with Tho Marritt to keep the Schoole in this Towne : for 
halfe a yeare : to teach all such children as shall be sent to him to 
write and to reade so far as god shall inable him with all diligenc and 
for the same he is to have : the full summe of of tenn pounds, to be 
payd. the one halfe in wheate at four shillings 10 penc for bushell : 
and the other half in endene corne : at 3 shillings per bushell to be 
payed quarterly or at every quarters end five pounds ; and he is to 
begine the one and twentieth of the 11 mo. 1660 and to continue till 
the one and twentieth of the 5 mo. 61 and in cause the select men 
shall se cause to provide a nother in that time for a nother halfe 
yeare or not to have a Schoole kept a nother halfe yeare they are to 
giue the sayd Thomas two monthes warning that he may prouide him 
selfe else wheare. other wise he is to proseed for the other halfe yeare 
for the same price and pay : and at the same rate as above specified 
for the other half yeare ; and if the sayd Tho shall omit keeping of the 
Schoole upon any ochasione on hoole weeke : he shall be acovntable 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 19 

for it; but if upon ochasion he omite two or thre dayes ; in a weeke : 
so that he keep parte of the week : thier is nothing required of him 
for it." 

This record was made by Timothy Dwight, the ancestor of 
at least two college presidents ; he was town clerk of Dedham 
in 1661. 

Thomas Marret was the son of Deacon Thomas Marret of 
Cambridge, and was probably known in Dedham because his 
sister Abigail married Daniel Fisher of this town. In 1664 he 
was in New London, Connecticut, employed as a scrivener for 
that town. He was appointed custom-master for the port of 
New London in 1668, and on December 15th of the same year 
was chosen Marshal of New London County, which latter office 
he resigned in 1674. Miss Caulkins in her " History of New 
London" (page 314) states that he "was, for several years, 
the most conspicuous attorney in the place," and that his name 
disappears "from the rolls of living men, about 1685." Mr. 
Marret evidently did not complete his second year, and the 
town showed its confidence in the venerable master Metcalf 
by making with him another covenant on the 24*'' of the 5"^° 
1661. As a specimen of exact bargaining, characteristic of 
old times, we will venture to give it entire : 

Agreed with Michall Metcalfe to keepe the schoole so longe time 
as god shall inahle him for seaven shilinges eight penc a weke the 
schoole to be keept in the parlor of the dweling house some time 
Frances Chickringes deceased: to teach the malle children that shall 
be sent to him by the inhabitance the sayd Michall do ingage to teach 
them to reade and to wright English as they shall be capable : in 
considration where of we the select men do ingage and promise to 
pay vnto the say[d] Michall his ex[e]cetors or asignes at the ende of 
the quarter for so longe a time as he keepe schoole : seaven shilinges 
eight penc a weeke : viz. halfe in wheat at the price the biscat bakers 
take when it is dew and the other halfe in rye or Endine corne at the 
price it pas curant from man to man : and all good and merchantable 
corne to be delivered at his dweling house : more over that woode for 
the fire be layd in at the schoole house : a hachet and belows to be 



20 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

prouided all so it is at our liberty when we please to put in hoome we 
think goode to keepe the schoole and we grant the like librty to the 
sayd Michall to leaue of the schoole at any time when he shall se 
cause : not with standing: any thing expresed in eyther of thes cove- 
nants above sayd : shall not hinder the sayd Michall in his just librty 
or absence from schoole vpon any speciall ochasions or providences 
that may be fall and that no advantage shall be taken so as to detayne 
any parte of his wages for some times : being nessesarily taken of 
from the schoole prouided : if it shall be aboue a weekes time : it shall 
then be discounted : other wise not : the schoole to begine the first of 
the 6mo 1661 provided that the in habitanc take no children from 
other Townes to put them to schoole if any do so they shall agree 
with the schooll master. 

Under this ag-reement Master Metcalf continued his labors 
probably till the spring of 1663. He died December 24, 1664. 
He was a beloved teacher, and his name should be honored. 

The next Schoohnaster was John Swinerton. He was 
covenanted with as his i)redecessor had been, but in terras 
somewhat different, as the town probably then contained 
nearly a hundred families, and one capable of teaching Latin 
would soon be required by the Statute of 1647. 

A part of the record is as follows : 

Nouember 22 1663 . . . the said m"^ Swinareton is to teach 
such male childeringe as are sent to him to wright & read & the use 
of retmitick as they are capable and the Latten tounge so fare as he 
can & to trie for one quarter of a yeare houe he may sute with the 
Towne & the Towne take content with him & so to continue for a 
year if there be a concurance betwen the Towne & him. 

His term of service seems to have been half a year. After- 
wards he settled as a physician in Salem, where he was re- 
spected for his skill and esteemed for his benevolence. A 
Latin book for elementary instruction, Brinsley's Accidence, 
containing John Svvinerton's name, written in 1652, was for- 
merly in the possession of William B. Fowle, of Boston. This 
book, consisting of questions and answers, was published in 
1612, and was generally used in the schools of England. The 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 21 

Accidence of Ezekiel Cheever was published about 1650, and 
took the place of Brinslej's book in America. Dr. Swinerton 
died in Salera, January 6, 1691, aged 57. 

The Town seems to have been compelled to come back to 
its home supply of instruction. One who is unable to endure 
the hard labor of subduing the forest and raising *' wheat & 
other corne " is supposed to be worth trying in the not less 
useful work of teaching, as is shown by the following record : 

6. of 2. 64. Assemb. after Lecture. ... In consideration of the 
p^'sent want of a school master and of the weakly estate of o' Br 
Joseph Ellice he being willing and we being hopefuU he may doe 
Some good in teaching Some childeren to read English, for p'"sent and 
vntill one more able may be attayned, doe agree and order, that forth- 
with notice be given that he shall begin to teach at the schoolhouse the 
next two daye and that he shall have 6* p week so long as he shall so 
teach and that this shall be p'"pounded to the Towne the next lectur 
daye that the mind of the Towne may be known therein. 

There is no doubt that the Town assented to the choice of 
"Br. Joseph Ellice," and that his teaching was satisfactory. 
When he had labored in his new vocation a half year or more, 
the following entry was made : 

22 : of 9 : 64: Assemb: afternoon . . . being mett to make the Rate 
to paye the Schoolmaster at 3^ 6** each Scholler the number of 
Schollers being 45. and estates rated at i** p[er] £ 

This was to pay Mr. Ellice for a year's work ; 85 persons 
were rated, the largest tax being that of Rev. John Allin, 15» 
9**; the smallest, of " Elnath : Dunckly," 5'^. 

A second year's service is implied in this record : 

10 : of 11 mo 1665 ... A bill is given to Joseph Ellice to reseave 
of the Constable 15^ — 12* in full for his sallary for keepeing the 
Schoole this p''sen yeare. 

To earn this amount at 6 shillings per week, he must have 
taught 52 weeks. 

He continued in the work the next year, and another record 
shows his last engagement in the service of the Town. 



22 TJIE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEBS 

19 : of 9 : IfiOG ... It is ordered that Joseph Ellice shall keepethe 
schoole one halfe yeare more and is to haue the same payem' that he 
haue formrly had for the like time to begin againe the next 2 daye 
being the 26. of 9. OG : 

The last record relative to liiiii i.s this : 

28 : 10 : Of) . . . A bill is giuen to Joseph Kllice to receaue 7^ 16' 
of the Constable in pt of payem' for keepeing Schoole. 

So (his man of " weakly estate" taught the sehool three 
years, and tio fault was found in his record. He became a 
townsman January 11, 1(),")1. lie does not appear on the rec- 
ords as a cluiivh lueinbcu"; but he is there called "brother 
Ellice." His luuuc is on tlio rate bills till 1(571, but in 1()72 
" Vid : KUicui " takes its place: this .seems to show approxi- 
mately the date of his death. 

Samuel Man, a youth of twenty years and a graduate of 
Harvard (.college in the class of KJlJT), appears as a teacher in 
Dedliani in the sunuuer of 1(>()7. The covenant with him was 
bri(>f but dclinite. 

l-'{ : '5 : <)7 Asscinb. after Trayneing . . . Agreed with m'' Samuel 
Man. to teach the male Children of this Towne that shall be sent to 
him in English writeing. Crammar. and Arithmeticke for the space of 
one whole yeare from 27"^" of this Instant moneth. for which he is to re- 
ceaue 20' in Such paym' and at such prizes as the Countrey Rate 
shall accept for that yeare. one halfe to be payed at the end of each 
halfe yeare. at his assignm' in Dedham. 

Subscribed Samuell Man : 

(Jrauunar here evitlently uieans Latin Gramiuar, or 
Clu>ev(M''s Accidence and Latin preparatory to College. This 
teacher appears to have been much esteemed, being doubtless 
more scholarly than his immediate predecessors. Probably 
about this time the number of families in Dedham made 
it necessary to maintain a granunar school in which boys 
could be fitted for colleg(>. Before Mr. Man's first year was 
completed the selectmen recorded their action as follows : 

27 : 2. 68. Assemb : afternoone, ... It is agreed and ordered that 
if m'' Samuell Man will accept of the same covenant made with him the 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 23 

last year : both for what he shall doe and w' paye he shall receaue for 
salleray for that yeare he shall be schoole master for the yeare next 
ensueing the end of the yeare he covenanted for. 

The young man continued his duties and, as the end of the 
year approached, we find still further proof of his pojmlarity in 
the followinii^ record : 

2G : 2 : 6!>. Assemb. to consider the Schoolem" continuance Our 
Reve''^^ Pasto' being p'sent 

Lieft Fisher Ensig : Fisher Pet : Woodward 

Serg*^ Averey Serg*^ Fuller Tymo : Dwight 

Elea : Lusher 
It is by vnanimous voate resolued to desire M"' Man to continue to 
keepe schoole in Town one yeare more, after the present year is expired 
Mr Man being p'"sent upon call, it being p[ro]pounded to him 
whether he would attend the same worke of keepeing schoole accord- 
ing to his former couen' for one yeare more and accept of 20' pounds 
for his sallary in Corn at price Currant, who accept of and engage to 
p[ro]ceed accordingly. 

The next year the same coverumt is renewed except "ho 
recauo no Indian corne vpon this account for more than 3* p 
bushell." 

In 1(371 Mr Man was re-elected, and also in 1(')72, when 
the record indicates that other plans are in his mind. 

2() : 2 : 72 — Assemb. towards night . . vpon treatie w"' M"" 
Sam" Man. he accept of agreem' tendered to him to keepe the 
Schoole in this Towne for the space of one yeare more after his 
p^'sent yeare is expired upon the same tearmes that he agreed vpon 
13 : 3 : 07. allwayes excepting his engagem' to Wollomonuppoage 
[Wrentham]. and vpon that occasion, he to giue the Selectmen two 
monthes notice, that they may supply themselues. 

The fact that the Selectmen were within a few months 
trying to " supply themselves " proves that Mr. Man soon left 
the school to enter upon his other engagement. He will dis- 
appear from Dedham for a season, to return a little later. But 
a curious entry in the Records attests his honesty and fidelity 
in little things. 



24 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

13 : 10 : 72 . . This day m'' Man sent Q^ in money in satisfac- 
tion for three quarrells of glase broken by the schollers while he 
keept the schole, which is left in the hands of Nath. Fisher. 

Mr, Man cast in his lot with the settlers of Wrentham, 
and the Selectmen put on record their efforts to secure a suc- 
cessor. 

17:4: 72. Assemb. to treat w*^ M' Burroughs about keeping 
the schoole. 

Eld"^ Hunting Ensi : Fisher Sergt : Fuller 

Lieft : Fisher Edw : Richards Elea : Lusher 

The covenant made with M' Man 13:3: 67 and often since re 

newed being read to M"^ Burroughs and tendered to be p[er]formed 

to him for one yeare next ensueing after a daye to be appointed M"^ 

Burroughs accept it not 

This hitch in the negotiations showed Mr. Burroughs to 
be a man of decided views and seems to have made the Dedham 
authorities more anxious than before to secure his services. 
This appears in a record two days later : 

19 : 4: 72 . . vpon further consideration of supply of our schoole 
by m'' Burrough. and haueing receaued a message from him by brother 
Robert fuller in answer to a letter of ours to this effect, that where as 
we haue p[ro]vided that M'' Burrough may be entertayned for Ten 
pounds p an. he desire that the other Ten pounds due to himself may 
without his care be turned into such comoditie or specie, as himself 
shall need, or order, in answer whereto the Selectmen haueing sent for 
severall bretheren to advise with in this difficultie. onely Bro : Avery 
being come to us doe agree vpon this necessitie to vndertake to answer 
his request expecting that the Towne will join in accomplishm* hereof 
and order that M'' Burrough be speedily enformed accordingly. 

How far this attempt to enter upon a course of specie 
payment was continued, we are not able to show. That it was 
not entirely successful is evident from the final entry in the 
town book relating to this case. 

28 6 73 A bill is giuen to M"" Buroughs to recaive of the constable 
IQi-OO^-OO'* : 3i-5''-0'i in mony : G^-lS^-O'i in come for the full discharge 
of his years salery for keeping the schoole : 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 25 

This Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs was the son of Jeremiah 
Burroughs of Scituate, and was born in 1(351. He had an as- 
signment of common lands in that town in 1G99. His son was 
married to Hannah Evvell, and was in Marshfield in 1710. Mr. 
Burroughs taught in Dedham one year and was followed by 
one of the older citizens of the town. 

14: 10 : 74 . . . Agreed with Tho Battely to keepe the schoole for 
one quarter of a year : for the salary vsualy given vnto Schoole Masters 
and is to begin the 21 of this instant : agreed this to be posted vp : and 
notice given to bring in wood : 

The fact that only a few months later, February 22, 1674, 
the following arrangement was made, indicates a scarcity of 
teachers : 

The Towne beinge presented for beinge defectiue in want of a 
schoole Master: Cap Dan Fisher was chosen to Answer the present- 
ment according to summons. 

New settlements vv^ore forming rapidly, and many new fields 
were opening for young men of learning and ability. So, for 
several years, Master Battelle occasionally held the position of 
teacher for two or three months at a time. This was the case 
in 1674 and 1675. In 1676 Mr. Man having been oblioed to 
abandon Wrentham on account of Indian hostilities, was rein- 
stated and continued in school three years, till 1679, when he 
again returned to his flock, where he spent the remainder of 
his life. He was not ordained till April 13, 1692. He married 
Esther, the daughter of Robert Ware of Dedham, May 18, 1673. 
They had six sons and five daughters. He died May 22, 1719 ; 
and among his most honored descendants is Horace Mann. 

/Wx^^<yt&^ nf^&^tvi£g9^ reappears as the schoole mas- 
JliX^^&i^ I'L ^ '^^ ter in 1679 the Ht^day of the 




10th month [December] 

to teach all the mall children that shall be sent to him to Read and 
wright and cast Accounts according to the best skill he Hath and what 
so ever else is proper to scholars that he is capable to teach them : . . . 



26 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

In 1680 Mr. Battelle^ is covenanted with on the 17^^ of the 
11th month 

to keepe the schoole vntell the 24'^ of June next ensueing. vnles 
there shall some other appear who may bethout more meete to manage 
that worke. 

Mr. Battelle evidently did not continue many days in the 
school, as the record shows that anotlier was called to the place. 
A few months previous to his last appointment, an event oc- 
curred which changed the prospects of the school. This will 
now be introduced by the record of the transaction. 

28 : 4 : 80 . , . Doc Will Avery doth tender mony sixty pounds for 
the incoragment of a latine Schoole in this Towne provided ther be 
such incoragmt to a [sjchoole as may be sutable of the Townes part 
and to that en[d] to treet with him refering to his conditions we chose 
Cap* Dan Fisher and En Tho Fuller. 

3 lOmo 1680 . . , Cap* Dan Fisher made a return of the trust com- 
ited to him selfe an En Tho Fuller of a some of mony of sixty pounds 
given to the Towne and the Improument for the benefit of a Latine 
Schoole. The returne is as followeth be it Here by declared that I 
Will Avery Phisision now resedent in Boston : some times of the 
Church of Dedham do out of my intire loue to the Church and Towne 
thier frely giue the full some of sixty pound in mony thier of to be 
Holy for the incoragmt of a latin Schoole as shall be from time to time 
so ordered by the elders or elder of that Church and select men for the 
time being desiring other hom god shall make able may adde thier 
vnto that a latine Schoole may generaly be maintayned thier and this 
to stand vpon record in thier towne Booke 

This ifift increased the interest in the school and caused a 
larger appropriation to be made. 

14-1-1680-1 ... it being proposed to the Towne whether they will 
allow twenty two pounds by the year to a lattin schoolemaster whereof 
seaven pounds shall be mony besides the incom of that 60 pounds 
given doctor Avery, it was voated in the afirmative. 

'The Dedham Historical Society has in its possession an elegant oak chair, 
given as a memorial o*^ thi>! sffhool master, the ancestor of the Batt'^lle family in 
America, by one who is di^.tinsuished for his liberal gifts to edaeational institu- 
tions. The chair bears a silver nlate on which is engraved the fcdlowing: 
"Thomas Battelle, Selecttnan, 1H77, 1678, l«8(i, 1688. Town Clerlr, 1687, 1688. 
Given by Robbins Battell, Norfolk, Conn, a descendant." 



OF DEDHAM, MASSAGIIUSET TS 27 

The question being put whether the care of providing A lattin 
School Master shall be left to the care of the selectmen it was voated 
in the Affirmatiue 

The select men have deputed Nath : Stearns to treat with Capt 
Hinksman his son about keepeing schooll 

" Capt. Hinksman his soii"\vas 
who entered upon iiis duties 




as Latin School master at the ^^ * «^ «— ^i-^mktv 

beginning of the year 1()81, 
and remained in office till the autumn of 1G85. As his father 
was for a time one of the assistant teachers of the Boston Latin 
School, it is highly probable that Richard was educated there. 
There is nothing on record to show the character of his teach- 
ing. Ho seems to have been free to make known the wants of 
his school, and the town always cheerfully supplied them. 
Robert Avery received of the constable 

4. 3-1 G8 1 . . three shillings six psnc in or as mony for A payer of 
tongs for the use of the schooll 

l"2-]0-81 . . the schoole Master complaineing that there want 
seates for the children and A table Deacon Aldus is desired and 
deputed to doe what is necesary in that respect. 

The donation of Dr. Avery was managed according to the 
wish of the donor, as we infer from the following : 

22. 11. 1683 . Assembled Insi Fuller Dea Aldus Serg' Ellic Serg^ 
Pond Serg* Metcalfe Willi Auery Nath Steanies with the Reu*^ Elders 
to order & dispose of the money giuen by Doct Willi Avery for the vse 
of A lattin Schooll 

Ensi Tho Fuller Serg' Daniel Pond and Sergt Tho Metcalfe are 
desired and impowered w"^ the Rev'^ elders and Select men to take 
care of and to dispose of the money aboue said so as it maybe secure 
and improued for the end mentioned. 

What the annual income of this gift added to the master's 
salary, no record discloses. Dr. Avery's hope that it would be 
increased by other donations was not realized. The name of 
the Avery School in East Dedham is all that now remains to 
remind us of his liberality. 



28 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

After the danger from Indian hostilities ceased, the settlers 
were more widely scattered, and it was not easy for all to enjoy 
the privileges of education at one school. This led to some 
complaints about the mode of taxation, and an attempt was 
made to equalize the burdens. 

At A generall meeting of the Inhabitants 10-1-1684-5- 

This Day the Committee chosen 1-11-1684 to consider of Some 

just land equiall way, whereby to raise the schoolemasters Sallary did 

present their thouts in Severall queries or propositions which being 

seueraly scaned and considered the inhabitants did vote as foUoweth viz 

1 That the one half of the Schoole charges as well for quality as 
for quantity shall be raised upon the ratable estate of our inhabitants 
whether nearer to the school or further of. 

2 that all such persons as dwell within one mile and a quarter 
from the School haveing male children shall pay for each such child 
five shillings A year from six years old to twelve years old 

3 that those that dwell within two miles and A halfe of the Schoole 
and beyond the mile and quarter: shall pay two shillings six penc 
A year for their male childrin from seaven years old to twelve years old. 

4 that gramer scholeres shall be rated and pay to the Schoole five 
shillings p head more than english scholers that dwell within A mile 
and quarter of the schoole. 

5. that those inhabitants that dwell more than two .miles and A 
halfe from the schoole shall be freed from all charge of rates vpon 
their childrens heades for the school vntel they shall receive benefit 
thereby, and then shall be rated and pay as those within A mile and 
quarter : alewayes prouided that such childrin be taken care of, so as 
they be sufficiently taught to read and wright. 

6. that the one halfe of the schoole charge shall be raised vpon 
the heades of children according to those rules of proportion above 
mentioned. 

A Tax bill of January 26, 1G84-5, is on record 

wherein each inhabitant is assessed thre farthings in the pound 
one third to be paid in money and two thirds in corne to defreyTown 
charges and part of the Schooll master's Sallery and the other part [of 
the Salary] is raised vpon the childrin. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 29 

The amounts are put opposite the parents' names to the 
right of the amounts on estates. Thirty-five parents are taxed 
for 49 children. Very soon after tliat the school tax was levied 
as before on " persons and estates." 

26 August 85 . . . m'' Hinchman declares his earnest desir to be 
dismist from keeping the School declareing that it would be very great 
detrement to hime to be holden longer in it. vnto which desir of his 
alter serious consideration the Select men returned this Answer, viz*, 
that they were not willing to hold hime ; it being So much to his 
damiage, but desired that he would continue in that work So long as he 
conueaniantly could ; and further agreed to make A motion to James 
Thorp and to his Son peter that he, viz*, peter would keepe schooU in 
m' Hinkmans Stead and desired and deputed Serg* metcalfe and Nath : 
Stearnes to treat with them vpon that account. 

14 September 85 at A general Town meeting after traineing it was 
proposed to the inhabitants whether they were willing that the Select- 
men should agree with Peter Thorpe to keepe the Schoole to which 
they answer and declare by their vote that they are not willing 

Mr. Henchman soon left Dedham, and some years later was 
the master of a writins: school in Boston. His successor was 
Joseph Holbrook, who evidently did not enter upon his duties 
with the purpose of continuing a long time in the Town's ser- 
vice. The recorded contract is nearly all we are able to give 
concerning him. 

22 September [1685] . . . This Day we made an agreement with 
m' Holbrook to keepe the Schoolle and to teach such children as come 
to reade and wright both English and latin acording to his abilety and 
their capasityes for the Space of one halfe year absolutly : and So much 
longer after the halfe year is out as he can without damiage to hime 
Selfe. and he is to begin the halfe yeare the fifth day of October which 
will end the fifth day of April 86 for which serve that halfe year he is 
to receive Seaven pounds in corn pay and five pounds in money, and so 
proportionabley for what time he shall continue longer in that servic. 

The " halfe year absolutly" was not completed, as the fol- 
lowing statement explains. 



30 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

111 1685 . . . The Towne beinge Indebted to m'' Joseph Hol- 
brooke : for keepinge the school as doth appeare : three pound ten 
shilings the Select men order TimothyDwight to giue thoes that leagally 
dema[n]d it a bill to the present Constables, James Thorp and Nathan- 
iell Chickring l-*-8«-0 in mony and 2*-2*-0 in comon Town payment 
the time that the schoole was keept was seuen weekes and 3 days 

Mr. Holbrook was not a graduate of Harvard College ; but 
perhaps he may have once been a student there. In Thatcher's 
Journal (Teele's Milton, p. 653), under the date Dec. 6, 1683, 
the author says, on returning home : <' I found a College scholar 
viz. Holbrook at my house waiting for me with whom I spent 
most of the afternoon." This may refer to the Dedham 
schoolmaster. 

The next master was John Eliot. The only information 
concerning him is obtained from a few accounts of money and 
" corne" which he received for his services. 

27 10 1G86 ... A bill is giuen to m'' Eliot Schoolmaster to re- 
ceaue of Constabl Thorp two pounds ten shilings and of Constabl 
Richard[s] two pound ten shilling. 5' 0^ 0'^ in mony. 

April 25 [ 1 687] A bill is giuen m' Jn° Eliot schoolem' & receiue of 
James Thorpe and Nathanell Richards Constables fourtie shillings in 
money, &: three pounds in corne paym' ; more to receiue three pounds 
of the comitte intrusted with the schoole money viz* ens Fuller Lief 
Pond serg* Metcalfe, this bill returned [Avery's donation] 

August 19 . . . Ens Thomas Fuller p^'sent a bill under the 
hand of m"" Jn° Eliot Late schoolem"" wherin m"^ Eliot owne the receipt 
of twenty shillings in silver of Ens Tho : Fuller as a part of the money 
due to him 

This John Eliot was the son of Rev. John Eliot of Newton, 
and grandson of the apostle to the Indians. He was born April 
28, 1667 ; was fitted for college by Gen. Daniel Gookin, and 
graduated at Harvard College in 1685 ; was an attorney at 
Windsor, Connecticut ; a speaker of the House of Deputies, and 
Judge of the Harvard County court. He died March 25, 1719. 
[See Sibley's " Harvard Graduates," Vol. HI, page 339.] 



or DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 31 

At this time it was extremely difficult to obtain a Latin 
master, and rather than be entirely without a school, the ser- 
vices of Thomas Battellc were again obtained for two months, 
December and January, 1790-1. Under the circumstances, this 
was the best the town could do, and yet it was not satisfactory 
to all. The selectmen recorded the result as follows : 

11:3:91 . . . haueing notice from y® Honr'^ Court that y® towne 
is presented for want of a Gramer Schoole, and allso that y® selectmen 
aper att Court y'' twelft of this Instant to answer y® presentm* we haue 
desired and impoured ezra mors to answer y*' same att Court. 

We presume that when "brother Morse" informed the 
Court that so good a man as Thomas Battelle had been employed 
a part of the year, the good intentions of the toAvn were ap- 
preciated, and no fine was imposed for its seeming neglect. 

It is proper to say here that Mr. Battelle was much esteemed 
as a citizen, and was often called to engage in public affairs. 
He married Mary, the daughter of Joshua Fisher, September 5, 
1648 ; became a freeman in 1654 ; died February 8, 1706, and 
in the record is styled " the aged." 

On the 29th day of July, 1691, in the record of a general 
meeting there is this statement : 

Agreed With Joseph Lord to keepe y^ Schoole one halfe yeare the 
time to begin in y^ 4 day of August 1 691 for which seruice he is to haue 
foure pound in money and eight pound ten shillings in corne at price 
currant. 

Mr. Lord was born in Charlestown, and had just graduated 
at Harvard College. He taught in Dedham two years ; after- 
wards was ordained, and in 1697 went with his Church to 
Dorchester, South Carolina, where he died in 1748. 

The custom of prefixing " Sir" to the names of the school- 
teachers first appears in the Dedham records, thus : 

6'^ 5 : 1691 . , . Tho Medcalf is Desired and appoynted to agree 
with Si'' Lord of Charlstown to keep y^ schoole in this Towne for one 
yeare. 



32 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

This respectful mode of address continued about twenty 
years. 

The next contract for School-keeping was made with John 
Woodward, August 20, 1693, for " one quarter of theyeare and 
to recaive mony two pounds and in corn fower pound five 
shilings." He began his work Sept. 4, 1693, and continued to 
keep the School two years, as long evidently as he could be 
retained. He was the son of Peter and Mehitabell Woodward, 
born in Dedliam December 7, 1671, and fitted for college in 
the Dedham " Lajin School," under the instruction of Master 
Man ; graduated from Harvard College in 1693 ; was ordained 
at Norwich, Connecticut, December 6, 1699 ; married Mrs. 
Sarah Rowell, 1703; was dismissed September 13, 1716 because 
of a controversy in his Church respecting the Say brook Plat- 
form ; retired to a farm in East Haven, where he died in 1746. 

December 31, 1094 ... It was also proposed to the Town whither 
thay will raise maintinance for the Schoole only upon persons and 
estates of the inhabitance. this was voated in the afifirmative. 

AYitli a few exceptional years, this had been the method of 
raising the schoolma.ster's salary from the beginning. The 
school-house built in 1649, had served its purpose, and before 
quite completing its half century of educating and guarding 
the Town, gave })lace to an edifice of simpler construction. Its 
main features, though not its dimensions, may be learned from 
the following record. According to a preliminary agreement, 
made August 26, 1693, it was to be built the same length and 
breadth, and " windowes as extensive as the old School House." 

march the 8 1G04-5. Assembled Sarg* Samuell Guild Daniel Fishar 
Nathaniell Bullard and William Avery To goe threw with the agree- 
ment with John Baker conserning the Schoole house & doe agree 
that the Said John Baker Shall goe on and build the Schoole house 
finding all timber bords claueboards Shingles naills glasse brick stone 
& clay. & borde the outside & clauebord the Inside & make it close 
warme and desent suitable to such a Schoole house «Sc to make one 
doore &: two windowes containins: twelue foots of glasse also a good 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 33 

Stone Chimny nine foots between gams and to carry it out of the 
house with good brick twelue cors of brick aboue the house & to find 
whatsoeuer else is nesecery & to finish said house to the turning of the 
kay and the aboue said house to be finished by the first of June 1695 
Excepting the upar flore & claubording the Inside which flore claue- 
bording is also to be finished by the twenty fifth day of October next 
after the date herof for and in consideration of this aboue written we 
the Select men of Dedham doe agree in the behalfe of the towne that 
the abouesaid John Baker shall Receiue of the Town of Dedham twenty 
shilings in mony att the time when said School house is raised and fine 
teen pounds ten shilings att the twenty fifth day of february next to be 
payed in corn in Rye at four shiling per bushel & Indian corn at three 
shilings par bushell & so much as shall be payed of this fifteen pounds 
ten shilings in mony the Said John Baker shall abate one fourth part 
thereof he is also to Receiue the old Schoole house with what belongs 
thereto & the Stone & clay of the Towns lying by it 
the aboue said mony and corn to be payed to John Baker to him his 
Heyers or Sussesers To oblige to the faithfull parformance of the 
whole above written we have here unto set our hands this aight day of 
March 1694-5 John Baker 

In the Name & by order of the Select men 

William Avery Town clerk 

The first schoolhouse was sometimes so cold as to interrupt 
the school ; the new one, with its fire-place " nine foots between 
gams," could be Avarmed if the supply of wood did not fail. 
The question of ventilation would also give no trouble. The 
new house with its " inside clauebording," and chimney " nine 
foots between gams," was first occupied by " Sir "Joseph Morse, 
who had just received his degree from Harvard College in 1695. 
The covenant with him is brief, as long usage had established 
the general duties and obligations of schoolmasters. 

^ August 28 1695 , . . This day the Select men have agreed with 
Joseph Mors to keep the Schoole for which he is to Receive of the 
Town after the Rate of twenty five pounds by the year whereof aight 
pounds is to be mony the other Seventeen pounds corn Rye at four 
shilings per bushell & Indian corn att three shilings per bushell 



34 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Sir Mors has begun upon the work of keep the schoole the second 
day of September 1695 

After teaching a year in Dcdham, Mr. Morse preached for 
a time to the Indians in some part of the Connecticut Colony ; 
but finally returned to " Punkapoag Pkntation," now Canton, 
and was ordained pastor of the church there October 30, 1717. 
lie died November 2!), 1732, in the sixty-first year of his age, 
and was buried in the old Canton cemetery. 

At this time the public interest in education manifested 
itself in an effort to endow the school with real estate. The 
manner in which this laudable work was carried out is best 
described by the following record : 

March the 10 1095-0. The propriators of the common lands be- 
longing to this Town of Dedham being met according to their appoynt- 
ment and notis given at the Generall Town meeting the second day of 
this Instant March to consider what might be nesessary to be done for 
the securing and regulating of their propriaty 

It was then proposed to the Said propriator, Whither they will 
Grant a tract or parcell of upland medow & swamp to the Quantity of 
three hundred acres to be wholly to the use and benefit of a Schoole 
toward the maintinance thereof in this Town of Dedham in that tract 
of land neer Sudbery of the best of their land medow & swamp there 
that which may be most prophitable towards the maintinance of a 
Schoole which they will lay out order and Improve to that end by a 
commity which they will Chose and appoynt to that work this was 
granted in the afirmative. 

Accordingly the propriator choose a Commity to lay out Said tract 
or parcell of land for the benefit of the Schoole. the Commity Chosen 
are Cap*^ Timothy Dwight, Jonathan Gay and John Smith 

The school farm was laid out ; but we shall soon find that 
as land it did not prove to be a source of much revenue. At 
least it was not deemed best to retain the property in that form, 
and there is no proof that any income was ever received from 
it as a farm. 

In 1696 the town began to pay the salary of the school- 
master entirely in money, as the following record indicates : 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 35 

Assembled ( Serg* Thomas Metc;ilfe [ohn Fuller f q. i 
November: 16 IG96 | Leu^ Samvell Guild & William Avery } selectmen 

The above said Select men in behalfe of the Town of Dedham 

Agreed with m'' Samuel Whitman to keep the Schoole this present year 

for which service as Schoole master being dvly performed the Said m'' 

Samveil Whitman is to Receive of the Town twenty five pounds in 

money in two eqvall payments the first after six monthes Schooling 

the second after the year is expired Said schoole master began to keep 

the Schoole the third week in November 1696 

Mr. Wliitman taught the scliool about a year and a half. 
He had graduated from Harvard College in 1698. After 
leaving Dedham he was employed in teaching the grammar 
school of Salem in 1699. In 170(3 he was ordained pastor of 
the church in Farmington, Connecticut. He was a Fellow of 
Yale College from 1724 to 1746, and died in August, 1751, 
aged 75. As a minister of the gospel he was eminent for his 
ability, zeal, and usefulness. 

The custom seems to be now established of employing in 
the school men of liberal education, capable of fitting boys for 
college. Their terms of service were not long ; but the school 
was doubtless managed with a good degree of uniformity. 
When we consider the character of the men as shown by their 
life work, we cannot doubt the excellence of their labors, and 
the value of their influence on the young peo})le of Dedham. 

The next teacher was a young man who had just graduated 
from Harvard, and claimed to be a descendant of that John 
Fox, whose Book of Martyrs has made his name familiar. 

July the 8 [1G98] . . m"" John Fox is agreed with to keep the 
Schoole and began that work the 29 of August & to receive 25 lb & 
keep him a hors 

June 22 : 1700 . . . This day upon Reckoning with m'' John Fox 
Schoolemaster for keeping Schoole in Dedham one year and three 
quarters and there remaines due to Said Schoole master six pounds & 
fifteen Shilling thirteen thereof is for keeping his hors at his own charge 

Master Fox was the son of the Rev. Jabez Fox of Woburn, 
who graduated from Plarvard College in 1665. The son was 



36 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

ordained as successor of his father October 14, 1703, and died 
December 12, 1756, in his seventy-seventh year. His long 
ministry of over fifty years may indicate that the town acted 
wisely in agreeing " to keep him a hors." He was, however, of 
a hardy stock. His mother died in her ninety-ninth year, being 
the widow of Col. Jonathan Tyng. Mr. Fox published a dis- 
course on the earthquake of 1728. 

Under Master Fox the school entered a new century. It 
had belonged to the 17th ; it had passed through the privations 
and dangers peculiar to that century of New England life ; it 
now emerged into the eighteenth century, where there was more 
of security, and consequently, of stability also. It has been 
progressive, and we may be confident that it will continue to 
advance as the town itself grows in population and wealth. , 

It will be appropriate here to say a few words concerning 
the text books of that period. The Arithmetics of the early 
schools were very unlike the modern books of that name. 
They contained no problems for the pupils to solve. Under 
each rule one or two examples were fully explained ; and the 
teacher furnished others to exercise the learner's skill. So 
every schoolmaster had to be equipped with one or more man- 
uscript books of " Sums" which he could set for his scholars. 
These were doubtless the product of his own busy school 
days, when he learned in order that he might teach others. 
The Arithmetic of Robert Record, enlarged and printed in 
1630, was used by Master Michael Metcalf, as before stated. 

Before the year seventeen hundred but few books were used 
in the school. Reading was learned by the beginners from the 
"English Primer," which contained among other things a prayer 
of Edward VI ; verses by John Rogers, the martyr ; and the 
Westminster Catechism. This book cost four pence. After 
the Primer, the Psalter was read, and by the older scholars the 
Testament and the Bible. The intense desire of the Puritans 
that their children should be able to read and understand the 
holy scriptures caused the Bible to hold a prominent place in 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 37 

the school. It was not only read, but carefully studied. As the 
children heard it daily quoted in their homes, where religious 
doctrines were a constant theme of discussion, they took more 
interest in it than in any other book ; and so, by studying it in 
the school, laid the foundations of that knowledge which gave 
them a just appreciation of the religious privileges which were 
the pride and the safeguard of the State. 

The oldest spelling book I have seen makes a part of a 
small volume printed in 1720, probably in Boston, under this 
title: "The Youth's Instructor in the EnoHsh Tono;ue." 
Besides spelling it treats of penmanship and reading, both prose 
and poetry ; devotes several pages to arithmetic, business 
forms, and Bills of Exchange. As the first thirty-two pages 
are missing, the author's name cannot be determined ; but to 
his credit it may be said that the work is well composed and 
contains a larger amount of useful information than is often 
found in a school book of its size. Certainly, if boys and girls 
mastered its contents, they would not be very deficient in the 
three r's. Their knowledge of penmanship would be most 
thorough, such as we often see exhibited in old manuscripts 
that almost defy imitation. Writing in those days was treated 
as a fine art, and was interesting because ornamental. It is 
certainly a step backward towards barbarism to leave out of 
penmanship all considerations of beauty and treat it only as a 
matter of mere utility. 

In some schools and probably in that of Dedham, " The 
English Schoole Master " was, in a literary sense, the highest 
book in reading. This contained some of the best literary 
material of that century in both prose and verse, and resembled 
in a degree the school readers of the present day. 

A work on arithmetic by James Hodder was in common 
use in New England. Leybourn's Arithmetic also had its 
career in the Colonial schools. But there is nothing to indicate 
that these books were owned by many of the scholars who 
learned the art chiefly by ' ' working the sums " setby the masters. 



38 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

" Oldcastle's Book Keeping" was the principal authority 
in the early schools ; and no doubt Thomas Battelle was guided 
by this work in teaching the Dedham youth "to cast ac- 
counts." In Latin, Brinsley's or Cheever's Accidence prepared 
the waj'' for Eutropius, Caesar, Cicero and Virgil, and the 
course was continued till the boy could be honestly recom- 
mended to the College. 

How one man could teach such a range of studies we can 
hardly imagine. lie would certainly have little time for moral 
suasion in managing his subjects, and we can easily excuse him 
if he did lubricate the wheels of school government somewhat 
freely with the " oil of birch." However, the school day was 
long; in summer it probably began at seven A. JM., and ended 
at five P. M., with an intermission of an hour; in winter, or 
from the first of November to the first of March, the hours 
were from eiglit to four. These~ were the hours in the Salem 
Grammar School, according to Felt's Annals, and no doubt 
there was a general uniformity in the schools of the Colony. 
But we have reason to believe that the younger pupils were 
eenerallv sent home at an earlier hour, and the grammar 
scholars recited their lessons undisturbed in the last half of the 
afternoon session. The}^ did not regard this as a hardship, 
such was their zeal for learning. Besides, their fathers and elder 
brothers were toiling more hours every day, and doing severer 
work in felling the forest and preparing the fields for cultivation. 

A desire to derive an income from the " schoole farme" 
induced the town to put it upon sale March 13, 1699, "for 
money to be improved for the benefit of the schoole." 

It was put to the Towne whither thay will choos a commity of 
three men to make sale of said schoole farme and give deed of con- 
vaiance & receive the money for it in the behalfe of the Town to be 
delivered by the said committy to such as the Town shall appoynt to 
Receive said money that it may be Improved wholy for the benifit of 
a Schoole in Dedham towards the maintinance thereof this was 
answered in the afirmative the Commity choosen thereunto are Sargt 
Daniell Fisher John Baker and Sargt Eleazer Kingsbery. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 



39 



In accordance with this vote the committee sold the school 
farm of 300 acres to Jonathan Gray for fifty pounds. The deed 
of conveyance is dated Jan. 1, 1699-700, "the 12th year of his 

majesty's reign, King Wil- 
eston- liam 3d." This farm lies in 

the northwest angle of the 
present town of Wellesley, 
about a mile from Wellesley 
College, and in 1890 was 
owned by Abel and Her- 
bert Stevens of Wellesley. 
The accompanjdng plan is 
from a survey made in 
1755, by John Jones of Ded- 
ham, the owner at that time 
being Jeremiah Gay. 

But the desire of the 
town to increase the income 
of the school fund was soon 
overpowered by sympathy 
for an unfortunate towns- 
man. The folio wins; record 
is too expressive of old 
fashioned benevolence to 
be omitted. 

May 13:1700.. The Town 
taking into Consideration the 
great loss whitch Timothy 
Whiting hath suffered by the 
burning of his Corn mill, have 
Granted to the said Timothy 
Whitting the use of five & 
twenty pounds of the money 
which is to be received in part of pay for the schoole farme, provided 
he give good securytie for the Same to the Commity appoynted to 




40 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

make Sale of said farme for the use of Town toward the maintinance 
of a Schoole, and that the said Tinriothy shall have the Improvement 
of said money for this present year without paying any use or rent for 
the Same. 

In March, 1702, the town voted to place the money received 
from the sale of the school farm in the hands of the same com- 
mittee which managed the Averj^ fund. If there had been no 
waste the united fund was then one hundred and ten pounds, 
and it enabled the town to increase the masters salar}', as they 
still continued to raise bvtax not less than twenty pounds annu- 
ally for the support of the school. William Avery, Lieut. 
Sanuiel Guild and Nathanaol Gay at that time were the trustees 
of the money. 

On the nineteenth of Auuust, 1700, it is recorded that, 

Sir Prentis began to keep the Schoole and is to receive 25 pounds 
for the year and kee[p]ing his horse with hay and grass. 

The agreement with John Prentice was ratified by a vote of 
the town jNIarch 26, 1701. The recipient of this increased 
salary, £20 having been the, previous stipend, had just gradu- 
ated from Harvard College, and being a native of Newton, he 
may have lodged in that town and ridden to and from his work 
in Dedham daily. Nor did he soon weary of his employment, as 
will appear from the following record of a selectmen's meeting : 

This 27th day of October, 1704 Reckoned with M' John Prentice 
Schoole master on account of his Keeping school in Dedham four 
years past the fourth yeare ending the 24th day of this Instant October 
and their remains Due to said NF John Prentice on account of said 
four year Keeping School twenty five pounds one shilling and three 
pence 25;^-P-3'^ 

Another item in the record of this date is interesting from 
the fact that it contains a term which appears to have become 
obsolete. 

To Comfort Starr to receive of Nathanael Kingsbury, constable 
out of the Town Rate, seven shillings for making a doore to the 
Schoole house, and cupbard, lock, and snips bills. 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 41 

The "snipfj bills," at a later day called " sni-bills," formed 
a sort of hinge, consisting of two iron pins resembling snipe's 
bills, looped together. This hinge made large was used to 
fasten the body of the ox-cart to the axle. In the case re- 
corded they were doubtless the hinges of the cupboard door. 

June 30th 1705 This day Reckoned with mr John Prentice 
Schoole master on account of the time the said Schoole Master has 
kept the schoole since the former Reckoning upon the first day of this 
Instant June, and there is Due to him upon that account thirty-five 
shilUngs— 01-15-00. 

This closed five years of Mr. Prentice's service in Dcdham. 
He began to preach in Lancaster, Mass., in 1705 ; was ordained 
pastor of the Church there March 20, 1708; and, after a suc- 
cessful ministry of forty years, died January 6, 174G, aged 
sixty-six years. That he was an able man is shown by the 
fact that he was chosen to preach the election sermon in 1735. 
The Rev. John Hancock, in a sermon before the people of 
Lancaster, said : 

Mr. John Prentice, having obtained help of God, administered 
unto you for the space of forty years — he was a burning and shining 
light, and you rejoiced in the Hght for a long season. 

A more extended account of his ministry and life may be 
found in the history of Lancaster. His father, Thomas Pren- 
tice, was said to have been one of Cromwell's body guard, and 
died in 1722, aged ninety-three years. 

The following record introduces the next schoolmaster: 

July 9th 1705 Assembled Nathanaell Gay Amos Fisher Benjamin 
Colburn & William Avery Selectmen and did this day agree with Sir 
Partrigg to Keepe the Schoole one year In Dedham & said Partrigg 
Schoole Master is to Receive twenty eight pounds for his labor in 
Keeping the schoole one year : said work being duly performed said 
School master began to Keep the schoole upon the twelfth day of this 
Instant July 1705 

This was John Partridge of Hadley, Mass., the son of Col. 
Samuel and Mehitable (Crow) Partridge. He was born, 1(386 ; 



42 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

graduated at Harvard College, 1705; and died in September, 
1717. He taught the Dedhain school two or three years. Where 
he spent the remainder of his life we have not been able to 
ascertain ; but there are reasons for supposing that he continued 
to be a teacher in the towns of the Connecticut valley, and that 
he ended his days in the town of Springfield. 

The Rev. John Prentice of Lancaster returned to the 
Dedham School in 1707, and was employed till July 1st of 
that year, as we infer from the fact that a bill for teaching 
school to that date was paid by the town February 27, 1708. 

He was succeeded by Daniel Baker, the son of John Baker 
of Dedham, who was born April 18, 1686, and graduated at 
Harvard College in 1705. He taught in Dedham until April, 
1709 ; and in 1712 was ordained as the assistant of the Rev. 
Daniel Gookin of Sherborn, Mass. He married Mary Quinc}^ 
the daughter of the Hon. Edmund Quincy of Braintree. In 
the language of a contemporarv, " he was a gentleman of bright 
natural parts, much improved by acquired knowledge, and 
powerful in preaching." He died in Sherborn, May 14, 1731. 

This brief record introduces the next Schoolmaster — 

The Select men haue agreed with Sir Kalander to keep the School 
in this town who began to keep the School on the 4'May of October 1710. 

Elisha Callender, son of the Rev. Ellis Callender of Bos- 
ton, graduated at Harvard College in 1710, and taught in 
Dedham about two years. In 1718, he was ordained as pastor 
of the first Baptist Church in Boston, as his father's successor. 
The two Mathers, and Mr. Webb of the North Church joined 
in the service. Cotton Mather preaching the sermon entitled 
" Good men united." After serving the church twenty years, 
Mr. Callender died March 31, 1738, " beloved by people of all 
persuasions on account of his charitable and catholic way of 
thinking." 

Sanmel Blake next taught the Dedham 3^outh. He gradu- 
ated from Harvard College in 1711. The record of his work is 
as follows : 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 43 

The Selectmen haue agreed with sir Blake to keep the school in 
this town, who began on the 29*^^ of April, 1712. 

His term of service was short, closing the same year it 
began, and we are not able to give any account of his subse- 
quent life, which is supposed to have ended in 1715. 

Thomas Walter is introduced by the following record : 

The selectmen have agreed with sir Walter to keep the school in 
this town who began to keep the school Dec. y® 31, 1712. 

He was one of the most brilliant young men of his time, 
and must have been a person of rare attractions to the citizens 
of Dedham. If the records are trustworthy, that he was born 
December 13, 1696, he was only eighteen daj's over sixteen 
years old when he took charge of the Dedham Grammar School. 
Being the grandson of Increase Mather and nephew of the 
famous Cotton Mather, and also the son of Nehemiah Walter, 
the admired, colleague and successor of the Apostle Eliot, 
Thomas Walter had inherited rare abilities, and these had been 
developed by study and uncommon social advantages. He 
received his de.'>;ree from Harvard College some months after 
coming to Dedham, that is, in 1713. He remained in Dedham 
as a teacher about a j^ear and a ha,lf ; but it is evident that he 
continued to frequent the town, for on the 25th of December, 
1718, two months after he had, by the unanimous desire of the 
church, been ordained as his father's colleague in the ministry 
of Roxbury, he carried off from Dedham, as his grand prize, 
Rebecca Belcher, the minister's daughter. 

He was an excellent musician, and in 1721 published 
" Grounds and Rules of Music Explained," the first singing 
book' " printed, with bars, in America." In his introduction 
to the work, he said that he had seen a congregation (was it in 
Dedham?) where the singing sounded "likej^i'e hundred dif- 
ferent Tunes roared out at the same Time." Several editions 
of this book were printed, the last in 1764. 

Dr. Chauncey in his sketch of eminent men in New Eng- 
land says: "Mr. Walter of Roxbur}^ son of the old gentle- 



44 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

man Nehemiah, I was acquainted with, and often had occasion 
to admire for the superlative excellence of his natural and 
acquired accomplishments. He died in the prime of life : 
otherwise he would have been more known in the world as one 
of the first in New England of our truly great men." His 
death occurred January 10, 1724, just after he had completed 
his 27th year. Cotton Mather preached his funeral sermon. 
We quote the record as follows : 

The select men have agreed with Sir Gay to keep the school in 
this town who began on the seccond day of August 1714. 

This refers to the Rev. Ebenezer Gay, D. D., born in 
Dedham, August 15, 1696, son of Nathaniel and Lydia (Starr) 
Gay, adopted daughter of Eleazer Lusher. He graduated from 
Harvard College in 1714, and began to teach in Dedham a few 
days before he had completed his eighteenth year. He was early 
distinguished for his scholarship, and maintained that reputation 
through a very long life. Gov. Burnet said that, " Among the 
clergy of Massachusetts, Mr. Bradstreet of Charlestown and Mr, 
Gay of Hingham had the most erudition." His long ministry 
was exercised in the famous old Hingham Church which in this 
year 1904 is still standing. It was sixty-eight years and nine 
months from his ordination to the day of his death, March 18, 
1787 ; and if we add the time he preached in Hingham before 
his ordination, his ministry to one people will fall short of 
seventy/ years by a few months only. 

Though Dr. Gay's ministry was a long one, his term of 
service in the Dedham school was short, and the characteristic 
entry in the Town Book thus announces his successor : — 

The selectmen have Agreed with Sir Bradford to keep the school 
in this Town who began to keep December y® 1st 1714. 

This was Perez Bradford, the son of Sanmel Bradford of 
Duxbury, and great grandson of Gov. William Bradford of 
Plymouth. He graduated at Harvard College in 1713 and was 
a teacher in Dedham only half a year. But this short residence 
here was not without some irood influence on his fortunes ; for 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 45 

on May 14, 1720, the Rev. Joseph Belcher recorded that he 
married Mr. Perez Bradford and Mrs. Abigail Belcher. So 
the teacher carried away the minister's oldest daughter to 
Attleboro, Avhere he was much in public life ; and, after being 
a member of the Council of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, 
he died June 19, 1746. 

Benjamin Bass of Braintree, the son of Joseph and Mary 
(Belcher) Bass, gTaduated in 1715 ; and according to the Ded- 
ham Town Book began to keep the school " on y® first day of 
July 1715," and he continued this employment with great 
acceptance for two years. In 1728 he was ordained as the first 
minister of Hanover, Mass. He was prudent, diligent, devoted 
and beloved, and possessed a rare faculty for interesting the 
children of his flock. He never passed a child on the road 
without a kind word ; and the school children were so fond of 
him that, on his approach, they would arrange themselves in a 
row, and as he passed, greet him with bows and courtesies. 
Mr. Bass was somewhat famous for his wit. He received a 
call to settle at Eel River in Plymouth ; and when one asked 
him whether he should accept it, he replied, " No ; Eel River 
may do for small fish, but it is not large enough for a Bass." 
This excellent man lived sixty-two years and died May 23,1756. 

In the year 1717 the difliculty of sending to one school 
from all parts of the expanding town began to call for a 
remedy. At a general meeting May 13, 1717, 

It was further proposed to the town if [it] be their mind to have 
the school Removed to seuerall parts of thes town, voted in the 
affirmative. It was also proposed to chose a committy of 3 men to 
consider and propose what is proper and conuenient as to the places 
and time to haue sd school removed and the comity chosen by vote 
were Joseph Smith Amos fisher sen and John Gay tailor 

Sept 9"^ 1717 A [t] a general meeting 

It was proposed to the town if it be their mind to grant an Assess- 
ment of forty pounds for the maintainance of y*^ school voted in the 
affirmative. 



46 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

From this last vote we infer that a migratory school was 
expected to be more expensive than a permanent one. Who 
was to lead it forth on its wanderings? Certainly not Sir Bass. 
What wit he would have expended on the new departure, we 
can only guess. Let the record tell us who is to initiate the 
change. 

William Bullard and Joseph Wight are desired to procure a school 
master to keep the school. Sir Belcher began to keep the school on 
the 18 day of Nou 1717 

This was Joseph Belcher, Jr., the Dcdham minister's son, 
who had just graduated from Harvard College. He began his 
work in the schoolhouse near the meeting-house and his own 
home, before that stone fire-place " nine foots between gams." 
But he was not to enjoy such generous moans of warmth all 
winter. The Select mon held a meeting Jan, 13, 1717-18, and 
made this record : 

Whereas the town haue granted to haue the school remoued to 
several parts of this town, this day seuerall persons come to the 
select men and desired of them that the school should be removed to 
the house of James Fisher from the 20 day of this Jan to the general 
meeting in march next : the selectmen have giuen their consent that 
it may be so. 

So the schoolmaster went to Clapboard trees in mid-winter, 
and was doubtless hos[)itably received, as the })ioneer of his 
class in a part of the town where good teachers have always 
been appreciated. Sir Belcher never complained of his fate or 
fare, and probablj' enjoyed the variety of scene which enlivened 
his hours of relaxation. It will not be desirable to follow the 
school in all its removals. Mr. Belcher journeyed with it till 
the spring of 1721. His last engagement for 1720-1 was at 
forty pounds a year, to begin the eleventh day of July. In 
the following record the Avord " dismitssed" probably means 
released. 

May the 15 1720-1. This 15 day of May the selectmen have 
dismised M'' Joseph Belcher schoolmaster from keeping the school in 
this town. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 47 

A few years later he went to reside in Milton, on an 
ancestral estate, where he died in the year of American Inde- 
pendence. 

His successor was John Wight, who was born in Dedham, 
April 22, 1699, and graduated from Harvard College in 1721. 
He then began his work of teaching, and probably studied 
divinity with the Dedham minister. This he continued till 
1726, as appears by the records, dividing his time among three 
portions of the town ; one-half the year at the school near the 
meeting-house, and the other half in equal parts at "Clapboard- 
trees," or West Dedham, and East street. He married Mary 
Pond of Dedham in 1728, and was ordained at New Marble- 
head (now Windsor), Maine, December 8, 1743. "Much of 
his pastorate," says a local historian, "was spent with his 
people, shut up together with their families in the old Block- 
house, or Province Fort. He lived fiftj^-three 3'ears, and his 
descendants are numerous." The following curious record 
testifies that he was not so well content wdth his remuneration 
as the people were with his services : 

Dec y® 12*^^ 1726, Assembled y® select men and did desire 
Jeremiah Fisher to treat with ]VP Wight schoolmaster in order to 
know whether he will accept of the sum of forty pound p year for his 
keeping y^ school in the Town for the time past, and also whether he 
will Still go on to keep y® School for the said sum of forty pound p 
year. And if He refuses so to do The Select men did Authorize 
and impower the Said Jeremiah Fisher forthwith to procure another 
schoolmaster. 

Under the date of December 12, 1726, we find the follow- 
ing record : 

The Select men allso did Agree with Mr. [Djwight that his son 
should keepe y® schoole in this town after the Rate of fourty pounds 
per year who began to keep the School december the 19 1726. 

The person here referred to, Daniel Dwight, son of 
Michael and Rachael (Avery) Dwight, was born October 28, 
1707, and graduated at Harvard College in 1726. He taught 
the Dedham school occasionally for several years, and did not 



48 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

close his labors till 1743. He died July 4, 1747, aged 39. 
"The Boston Weekly News-Letter" of Thursday, July 16, 
1747, says in an obituary notiee, dated at Dedhani, July 5 : — 

Yesterday died here in the 40th year of his age, after a few days 
sickness of a very maUgnant Fever, that valuable gentleman, Mr. 
Daniel Dwight. He had a liberal education, was designed for the 
ministry, and preached occasionally, tho' never setled in that work, 
and had for Years past laid aside the tho'ts of following that employ- 
ment, and had engaged in other Business. He was a gentleman of 
real merit, . . . of a most benevolent Temper ; charitable, peace- 
able ; a Lover of good Men of whatever Denomination ; a steady 
faithful Friend, and always ready to do Acts of Kindness to every 
one that stood in need. ... As he lived esteemed and desired 
by those that were most intimately acquainted with him, so his Death 
is greatly lamented. 

In 172(5, that })art of Dedhani which is now Dover, began 
to have a school of its own supported by the town, as appears 
by the following record of May 11, 172() : 

it was put to the town wether they will Grant a sum of money 
for the Support of a School in the we[s]terly part of the town agreable 
to one parregraft in a petititison \_sic'\ therefor wich was answered in 
the affirmetive and the money Granted was five pounds. 

& Lastly it was proposed wether the town would Chose Eleazer 
Ellis senor & Nathaniell Chickring a Comitte to Recieue y* said 
money out of the town treasurey & to take Care that it be improued 
for Said use. 

Voted in y® affirmitiue. 

In this vote of the town we see the germ of the school- 
district and the district committee. That this germ became a 
vigorous plant, we know from its widespread and abundant 
fruits. Another donation was received by the school, but no 
record of the amount has been found. The fact is recorded on 
March G, 1727, as follows : — 

It was this day proposed to the Town whether it be there mind 
that the Money given to the Town by Robart Avery Lately Deceased 
should be Delivered into the hands of the feffees of the Schoole 
Money Voted in the affirmitive. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 49 

In this connection it may be interesting to have another 
excerpt from the Town Book. 

Feb 27, 1732-3 The Feoffees of the schoole Money (viz) Jabez 
Pond John Gay & John Metcalfe in their capasety Received of Maj"" 
Jeremiah Fisher & M'' Michel Dwight Trustees for Dedhams part of 
y* fifty thousand pound loan the sum of sixty one pound seventeen 
shillings & five pence, being in full what is due from them to the 
Town on that accoumpt & they and their heirs are hereby fully dis- 
charged from the same as appears by a voate of the Town May 15, 
1732. 

A teacher, whose term of service was remarkable for its 
brevity, is introduced by the following record : 

April the 1 : 1728 M"" Bridgham Schoole master began to Keep 
the School in the Schoole House near the meeting House by order of 
the Selectmen. 

James Bridgham was born in Boston, March 21, 1707; 
graduated at Harvard in 1726 ; was ordained in 173(5 at Brim- 
field, Mass., where he was a pastor forty years ; and died Sep- 
tember 19, 1776. "A man of respectable talents, an evan- 
gelical preacher, and remembered with affectionate esteem." — 
[Hyde's History of Brimfield, p. 94.] 

The shortness of Mr. Bridgham's term is known by the 
fact that Mr. Dwight resumed his charge of the school on the 
13th of the next month. He continued to be the only teacher 
in the tovvn till the time of the following record : — 

December y® H'^'* 1730 [the selectmen] gave order to y® Town 
Treasurer to pay M'' Daniel Dwight, Schoolemaster y*^ sum of sixty- 
three pounds nineteen Shillings in full for what is due to him for 
keeping schoole in Dedham & this day Mr Dwight ceased keeping y® 
School in y® town. 

[Jan. 21, 1730-1 the Selectmen] agreed with Deacon Metcalf to 
take care to obtain a Gramer Schoolmaster to keep the school in this 
town, 

the selectmen agreed to desier Mr. Jeremiah Fisher to keep the 
school in this town for y® present who began on february 22 1730-31 
to keep y® school in y® east part of y* town. 



50 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

The length of Mr. Fisher's school is shown by the follow- 
ing entry : — 

1732 Mch. 20. To Mr. Jeremiah Fisher for keeping school one 
week 1;^ 3^ 

He was the son of Jeremiah and Deborah Fisher of Ded- 
ham, born September 3, 1704; graduated at Harvard 1726: 
married Elizabeth Cook of Boston ; died in 1752. 

But a more permanent teacher was soon found. 

March 5. [1730-1] M"" Thomas Marsh by order of the Select- 
men began to keepe the schoole in the town att sixty pounds for the 
yeare. 

This teacher, according to the custom of his time, did his 
work in three different places. The following vote, March 7 
1725-6, will explain the system of removals which prevailed : — 

It was put to the town if it be thare mind that the Gramer School 
shall be kept one-half of the year in the town near the meeting hous 
half the said time in the winter season and the other half in the 
summer season & the other half of the year in y^ places where it hath 
been Last stated Voted in the afBrmatiue 

& further it was put to the town wetther they would Leave it 
with y^ select men to set the time when y® school should begin and 
when it shall End in the same places which allso was Voted in the 
afifirmitiue. 

April the 4"' 1726. . The selectmen allso ordered the School to 
be kept at y'' place where it now is [Jabez Pond's] for six weeks 
next & then to be kept in the Clabrdtrees near John Richarde's hous 
six weekes and then in the town near the meeting hous for Half one 
year. 

In June, 1733, Mr. Marsh was re-engaged for the second 
time, and to begin at the school house near Clapboard trees. It 
seems reasonable to infer that the residents of West Dedham 
had erected a school house for themselves ; another step towards 
the development of a district system. East Street also appears 
to have erected their own school house, as we infer from the 
fact that on Oct. 21, 1734, Mr. Marsh is engaged to begin at 
the Clapboardtree school house, if fit ; if not, at the school 



or DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 51 

house near Chamberlain's (East Street). After four years of 
faithful and acceptable service, Mr. Marsh "lays down the 
school" March 12, 1734-5. He was born in Hingham, Jan. 
20, 1711, and graduated at Harvard College in 1731. He was 
Librarian of the College from 1737 to 1741 ; a tutor in the 
same from 1741 to January 9, 1766, when he married Hannah 
Sprague and retired from his office because a tutor was required 
by the CoUesre laws to reside in the College buildino^ niffht and 
day. Removing to Watertown, he died there September 22, 
1780. 

The vacanc}^ in the school was quickly filled. 

March y® 10*'' assembled y^ Select men & Desired John Metcalfe 
to Endeavor to Procure A. Schoole Master as soon as may be, M*' 
Marsh haveing Lately laid down keepeing y" schoole. 

The prompt action of the agent is thus recorded : — 

March y® 18"' 1734-5 Perseuent to the above Desire I agreed 
with M"^ Seath Adams of Milton to keepe y^ schoole in Dedham one 
year for Sixty Pound he is to begin on Monday y^ 24'*' of this 
Instant March att y" Schoole House near y^ Meeting House. 

John Metcalfe. 

Seth Adams was the son of Edward Adams, graduated at 
Harvard in 1733, and was a teacher in Dedham about a year. 
He had a common ancestry with President John Adams and 
Governor Samuel Adams ; died June 26, 1736. 

About this time much dissatisfaction was manifested with 
the action of those who had sold the School Farm. The feel- 
ing became so prevalent that an attempt to recover the farm 
was thought advisable, and the town in September, 1735, voted 
to try to recover it by legal measures, and to expend £30 for 
that purpose. But it is not certain that any money was ex- 
pended on the business ; and it is evident that nothing was 
accomplished. The Dedham Grammar School was not destined 
to become an endowed institution. Its annual supply of funds 
was to depend on the interest of the citizens in the subject of 
free education. 



52 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

From the twenty-third day of November, 1736, till 
October, 1738, the school was in the hands of Solomon Town- 
send, who divided his time among three parts of the town, as 
his predecessor had done. A native of Boston, he graduated 
at Harvard College in 1735, and probably studied theology 
with the Rev. Samuel Dexter, while in Dedham, so far as his 
duties to the school permitted. He lived sixty-one years after 
graduation, and spent fifty-seven years as a pastor in Barring- 
ton, R. I., wliere he died in 1798, at the age of eighty-two. 

From the records of the May town meeting of 1768, the 
following extract relates to our subject : — 

After a Reading of a petition from some of y® Inhabetence of the 
Southerly Parish in Dedham and a long debate thereon. 

Voted that the said Southerly Parish in Dedham & Springfield 
Precinct, (now Dover) have granted unto them ten pounds each. Part 
of the before Granted Eighty Pounds, to be improved for y'' schooling 
of y'' children in those two parts of y® Town. 

Thus it appears that five localities in the town had school 
privileges some part of the year — the Town, Clapboard trees, 
East Street, Springfield and the South Precinct — a district 
system in the process of rapid development. 

The next Master we will introduce by the following Town 
record : 

October y^ 30**> 1738 M"" Jonathan Winchester by Agreement with 
the Select men began to keep y® Schoole in y® Town neare y^ meeting 
house for one quarter after the rate of seventy-five pounds p annum. 

This teacher, born in Brookline in 1716, had graduated 
at Harvard College in 1737. He probably remained in charge 
of the school about two years. Afterwards he became a min- 
ister of the gospel, and was settled over the First Church in 
Ashburnham, Mass., in 1760. He died in 1767, fifty-one 
years old. 

The following receipt we copy from the Town Book : — 
March 2 1740-41 Received of M'^ Ephraim Willson Town 
Treasurer the sume of four pounds & Ten shillings for y® entertain- 
ment of Mr. John Cams School-master P'' Samuel Dexter. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 53 

As Mr. (yarnes did not graduate at Harvard College till 
1742, we infer that he taught only as a substitute during some 
temporary absence of Mr. Winchester. He became a clergy- 
man, and lived till 1802, sixty years after his graduation. It 
is pleasant to be able to say where, and in what labors, such a 
long life was spent. Rev. John Carnes was settled, first at 
Stoneham, then at Rehoboth. From the latter place he was 
dismissed, at his own request, in 1764, and removed to Boston, 
his native town, where he resided till it was evacuated by the 
British, March, 1776. Then he entered the American army as 
chaplain, and served during the war. Removing to Lynn, he 
became a justice of the peace, and served nine years as a mem- 
ber of the General Court. In 1788 he was chosen to the 
Convention for ratifying the Constitution of the United States. 
As " minister, magistrate and politician," he led a useful and 
honorable life, which closed Oct. 20, 1802, seventy-eight years 
after his birth. 

During 1741 Mr. John Wight was again employed ; and 
in 1742 Mr. Daniel Dwight also again had charge of the gram- 
mar school ; but no change in the management of the school is 
recorded. The salary was £80 per annum, evidently in an in- 
flated currency of paper currency. 

Mr. Nath^^ Sumner began to keep the School at the Clabbordtrees 
y® first of Desem. 1742 and concluded thare March y® first following 
at twenty five pounds a year lawfull money. [This meant silver.] 

Mr. Sumner's labors probably continued till the following 
autumn. He was born in Roxbury, April 10, 1720; A. B. at 
Harvard College 1739 ; married at Dedham, Hannah Bullard 
of Walpole, September 5, 1743; continued to reside in Ded- 
ham South Parish ; was Captain, Deacon, Selectman ; and was 
Representative of Dedham in the General Court for 1757, 1762, 
1769, and 1770. He died December 23, 1802, leaving a name 
highly honored. 

At a selectmen's meeting held November 15, 1743, Mr. 
John Metcalf is desired to procure a schoolmaster. 



54 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Pursuant to which s*^ John Metcalfe went to Wamouth & ob- 
tained M'' Josiah Tory to keep the schoole in Dedham for three 
months at y*^ Rate of Seventy pound p annum & his board he began 
Desem 21 : 1743 at the school hous neare y® meeting hous, select 
men procured his being entertained at W" Averies Jun'' for 20* p 
week. 

How long the town enjoyed the services of Mr. Torrey we 
cannot determine. He received thirty-five pounds for a lialf 
year, June 11, 1744; and, as no other w^as employed, we pre- 
sume he completed the year. Pie graduated at Harvard College 
in 1741, but we have not been able to trace his career. 

The next schoolmaster, William Kneeland, graduated at 
Harvard in 1744. He was born in Boston, Jan. 1, 1724-5; 
and it is supposed that he died in office, for the reason that 
John Motcalf received March 27, 1745-6, sixteen pounds, "in 
part of what is due to Mr. William Kneeland decasd for keep- 
ing schoole in y^ Town 1745." Afterwards he received nine- 
teen pound.-' more du{^ to the same person. The date of Knee- 
land's death is not given in the Harvard Quinquennial, but he 
died, either in 1745, or early in 174(3. 

Mr. Kneeland's successor in the school was his college 
classmate, Benjamin White, who up to September 5, 1746, had 
received £40 for teaching. Mr. White received the master's 
degree ; his death occurred in 1790. 

On October 10, 1746, 

Lusher Gay haveing not Procured a Schoole Master the Select 
men Desired John Metcalfe to Procure one ; Accordingly sd Metcalfe 
Procured M^' Samuel Huntington of Lebanon & Agreed with him 
that he should Recive four pounds old Tenor for his & his horses 
time & expences in Coming down ; and forty Pounds old Tenor & 
his board for his keeping y^ schoole six months beginning the first of 
November at the school house by Chamberlins. 

Old Tenor was the name given to the first issue of paper 
money which soon greatly depreciated. May 13, 1747, 
Samuel Huntington received £44 for keeping school ; his last 
payment was received March 27, 1749. William Avery re- 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 55 

ceived for his board (seven months and one week), £46, 10s. 
From this meagre record we infer that the school was under 
his care between two and three years. He was the son of 
Deacon Samuel Huntington of Lebanon, Conn., and was born 
Oct. 16, 1725. He married Rebecca Fairbanks of Dedham 
(pub. Apr. 13, 1750), was deacon in Canterbury, Conn., and 
afterwards in East Haddam. He studied for the ministry after 
graduating from Yale College in 1746, but finally decided upon 
a mercantile career, in which he was highly successful. 

On the first day of January 1744-5, the Trustees of the 
School Money had in their care the sum of £236, 2s, 8d. This 
money was loaned on good security to citizens of the town ; 
and the disposition to increase the fund is shown in the follow- 
ing, taken from the records of the March meeting, 1749 : — 

And then Dea : Nathaniel Kingsbery made the following Proposal 
to the town. — Gentlemen, Being Desirous of the flourishing State 
of Learning in this place I Purpose a Donation to the Town of One 
Hundred Pounds old Tenor the yearly interest of which to be appro- 
priated to y** use of y'' school — If it may be acceptable : Under such 
Regulation as y'' Town in their wisdom and Prudence shall see meet 
to order and appoint, — I also propose if it may be agreeable to the 
Town that a Committe in Trust be choozen to Receive the money 
and give a Receipt, And that it may be at this meeting — Sincearely 
wishing that others might be stirred up to Cast in to such a Treasury 
for the Incourigment & advancment of Learning and good manners, 
and am an harty Well-wisher to all your Interests. 

Upon which the Town voted harty thanks to Dea : Kingsbery 
for his generous gift — And pursuant to the proposal of y*^ Doner The 
Town chooze Dea : Joseph Ellis, Dea : Ephraim Willson & Eliphalet 
Pond to be a comittee to receive Dea : Kingsbery's Donation, To give 
a Receipt for it, and Improve it to the Ends for which it was Given. 

At a meeting of the Selectmen Feb. 14, 1 749-50, the Ded- 
ham Stock of School money was reported to be £345, 8s., at 
that time loaned to twelve citizens of the town in sums varying 
from five pounds to one hundred, the last amount being secured 
by the bond of Jos. Chickering, the Trustees being Dea. Joseph. 



56 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Ellis, Dea. Ephraim Willson, and Eliphalet Pond. At the 
March meeting of 1751, the Town voted to raise money by tax 
for building, or repairing, five school houses ; and that the 
Granmiar School should be taught in each of the houses some 
part of the year, unless a parish or society might accept as an 
equivalent a sum of money which they could use for school 
purposes at their own discretion. In that case the remaining 
societies should have the Grammar School in proportion to 
what they paid. But at the Town meeting held in May follow- 
ing, all this was reconsidered, and matters were managed as 
before. 

May 15, 1750, Timothy Pond was paid for one quarter's 
service in keeping school in Dedham. Besides other payments 
in the mean time, he was paid a quarter's salary in Feb. 
1752, when he probably closed his labors in the school. He 
was the son of Baruch and Abigail (Slocum) Pond, born in 
Wrentham, Sept. 15, 1729 ; graduated at Harvard in 1749, and 
afterwards received the degree of A.M. He married Elizabeth 
Bullard of Dedham, June 27, 1755. They had three sons and 
three daughters. In deeds he was styled " gentleman," but 
studied no profession ; he resided in Wrentham, where he died 
" suddenly," Nov. 10, 1804. 

On the 29th of July 1751, Mr. John Wiswall entered the 
school as its teacher ; but his term was the shortest thus far on 
record, as the following will show : 

August 6th, 1751, Mr. Wiswell Informs y® Select-men that he, 
having Received greater Incourigment to Keep School elsewhere, 
Should Dismiss the School here this day. And that He demands 
nothing for what he has done. 

William Avery, however, received eight shillings for his 
board. This schoolmaster was the son of John Wiswall of 
Boston ; graduated at Harvard College, 1749 ; teacher in Fal- 
mouth (now Portland) Me., in 1753; ordained as a Congre- 
gational minister of a society in New Casco, Me., 1762; be- 
came Episcopal in 1764 and was ordained in England ; returned 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 57 

to Falmouth (Portland), in May 1765. Had 70 families in his 
parish, the ' ' Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign 
Parts" contributing £20 for his support; in 1775 he was im- 
prisoned for his tory activity, but was soon released, and went 
to England; was included in the Banishment act of Mass., of 
1778; in 1781 was a curate in Oxford, Eng. ; returned to 
Nova Scotia after the war, and died there in 1812. 

Elizur Holyoke began to teach in the " Old School House " 
Sept. 18, 1751, at a salary of £200, old tenoi% the currency 
being terribly depreciated. He boarded at Isaac Bullard's, and 
received his last payment Feb. 6, 1753. He was the nephew of 
Edward Holyoke, President of Harvard College, born May 11, 
1731 ; graduated at Harvard in 1750 ; was Librarian in 1757 : 
was ordained in Boxford, Mass., Jan. 31, 1759; married 
Hannah, dau. of Rev. Oliver Peabody of Natick, Nov. 13, 1760. 
" The cords of harmony between him and his people were ever 
perfect, even to reverence and love." [Hist, of Boxford, p. 273.] 
He died March 31, 1806, in a house that is still standing and which 
was built for him by his father, a wealthy merchant of Boston. 

The paper money issued by the Colony of Massachusetts 
Bay prior to 1737 was called Old Tenor; that issued in 1737, 
on better security, was at first called New Tenor. But in 1742 
another issue was made and called New Tenor, after Avhich the 
issue of 1737 was called Middle Tenor. In 1751 Mr. 
Holyoke's salary of £200 was equal to about £20 of silver. 
This paper money was finally redeemed, according to an act of 
the Colonial Legislature, at seven and a lialf olA tenor for one 
of specie. (See Felt's Massachusetts Currency, page 251.) 

The following record is a curiosity : — 

1752. Agreeable to vote of Town at May Meeting that the 
School should be kept in proportion to the tax in each precinct. 



First precinct 


166 days 


The South 


79 " 


Clabbordtrees 


67 " 


(Dover or Springfield) West Precinct 


52 " 



364 days 



58 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Under this arrangement no one would complain of too 
much vacation : but how about violating the Sabbath ? 

Joseph Perry had earned a quarter's salary and was paid it, 
April 18, 1753 :Jand on Nov. 5 of the same year was paid "for 
his last Quarter Keeping School in Dedham and for paying for 
one Horse Journey agreed on to Groaton." On Oct. 23,1755, 
he married Sarah Lawrence, of Groton, so that his " Horse 
Journey" is easily accounted for. See Groton Historical 
Series, by Dr. Samuel A. Green, vol. II, pp. 454, 455, for an 
account of Mr. Perry as well as of his wife, and for the reprint 
of a broadside containing a tribute to her memory. He was a 
native of Sherborn, Mass. ; graduated at Harvard College in 
1752, and settled in East Windsor, Conn., 1755. He preached 
the Election Sermon in 1775; and died, 1783, aged 50 years. 
Of Mr. Perry's ability we are assured by the fact that he was 
settled as the Colleague of the Rev. Timothy Edwards, the 
father of Prcs. Jonathan Edwards, to whom the father was not 
thought inferior as a^preacher. 

In 1754 three noteworthy men, Jonas Clark, William 
Symmes, and Nathaniel Sherman became teachers in Dedham. 
Jonas Clark received £13, 6s, 8d, for six months, Aug. 17, 
when he was stjded " late schoolmaster." Born in Newton, 
Dec. 25, 1730, graduating at Harvard in 1752, he was ordained 
at Lexington, Mass., Nov. 5, 1755. He was an ardent patriot, 
and the men who "stood for liberty on Lexington Common" 
were his parishioners. An interesting sketch of his life and 
character by Rov. William Ware may be found in Volume I. 
of Sprague's Annals. The pupils of such a teacher may be 
deemed fortunate. He died in 1805 ; but the influence of his 
life and work survives. 

The second of these men, William Symmes, H. C. 1750, 
taught in the Springfield Precinct, for which he was paid May 
19, 1755. He was a Tutor at Harvard College from 1755 to 
1758, and on Nov. 1, 1758, he was ordained as a pastor at 
Andover, Mass. He preached the Election Sermon in 1785, 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 59 

and received the degree of D. D. from his alma mater in 1803, 
fifty-three years after his graduation. He died four years later, 
aged 77 years: 

Nathaniel Sherman taught in the <' second parish" in 
1754-5, and in 1755-(). Born in Newton, Mass., March 5, 
1724, he graduated at Princeton College in 1753 ; was ordained 
at Bedford, Mass., 175(5, dismissed in 1767, and installed at 
Mt. Carmel, Conn., May 18, 1768. He died at the close of a 
successful ministry, July 18, 1797, in his seventy-fourth year. 

These three teachers nmst have exerted an excellent in- 
fluence upon the youth of the town. We may reasonably pre- 
sume that the effects of their silent tuition were good and 
permanent in many minds. 

A new policy from this time onward appears to have been 
adopted. Instead of one master, continuing through the year, 
but teaching in different parts of the town, competent men 
were employed to teach short-term schools in the several dis- 
tricts. This was essentially the district sj^stem. 

Nathan Webb taught the school in the new school house 
of the First Parish twenty-two weeks, for which he was paid 
Sept. 19, 1755. He was the son of Rev. Nathan Webb of 
Uxbridge and a cousin of President John Adams. See Adams 
Diary, Vol. II, p. 11. He graduated at Harvard in 1754, and 
died in 1760. 

James Dana, son of Caleb and Phoebe (Chandler) Dana, 
was born in Cambridge in 1735, graduated at Harvard in 1753 ; 
but remained several years at Cambridge pursuing his theo- 
logical studies. In the winter of 1755-6 he was the school- 
er 

master in Clapboardtrees three months, or perhaps longer. His 
abilities, as shown in his subsequent life, were such that in 1768 
he was honored by the University of Edinburgh with the 
Doctorate. He was ordained at Wallingford, Conn., in 1758 ; 
and in 1789 was called to the pastoral charge of the First 
Church in New Haven. His publications were numerous. He 



60 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

died Aug. 18, 1812, and President Dwight preached his funeral 
sermon. 

October 24th 1755 M"" William Patten began to Keep Schoole in 
the First Parrish in the New Schoolhouse, he has engaged to Serve at 
the Rate of ;^25. *6. '^8. a year & to have his board. 

This was the son of Rev. William Patten of Hartford, 
Conn. ; he was born in Billerica, Mass., in 1738, and graduated 
at Harvard in 1754. He was pastor, first at Halifax, Mass. ; 
afterwards of the South Church in Hartford, Conn. He married 
Ruth, the daughter of President Eleazer Wheelock of Dart- 
mouth College ; and his son Dr. William Patten, was the pas- 
tor of the Second Church in Newport, R. I., a little short of 
47 years. Mr. Patten lost his voice, and soon after his health, 
and died in Roxbur}^ Mass., Jan. 16, 1775. 

Nathan Kidder, a classmate of the first President Adams, 
1755, taught in the South Parish during the winters of 1755-6, 
1756-7 and 1760-1. According to the Harvard Quinquennial 
he died in 1761. 

Jonathan Bo^anan, a classmate of Mr. Kidder, taught in the 
Springfield precinct about the same time. He lived till 1804. 

In the winter of 1755-6 the East Street School was taught 
by Joseph Metcalf for three months. He was a descendant of 
Michael, of the fourth generation, born May 11, 1710 ; married 
Ruth Aldus of Roxburj', and died Feb. 25, 1785, leaving four 
sons. 

The same winter Benjamin Bacon was teaching in the South 
Parish. He was the son of John and Hannah, born after his 
father's death, in Salem, Aug. 26, 1716; a descendant of 
Michael of Dedham in the fifth generation. 

George Damon, the son of John and Elizabeth, having 
graduated at Harvard in 1756, taught in the First Precinct be- 
ginning Nov. 22, 1757, continuing for a year, or 44 weeks. 
He joined the church in Dedham, Aug. 4, 1757, and was dis- 
missed Sept. 14, 1760, to take pastoral charge in the town of 
Tisbury. He died in Woodstock, Vt., in December, 1796. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 61 

Mr. Damon's college classmate, Eleazer Weld, tausrht the 
Clapboard trees School during the winter of 1756-7. He re- 
ceived the degree of A.M. in 1761 and died in 1800. 

The school money for 1756 was proportioned to each pre- 
cinct as follows: to the first, £24, 12s, 6d ; to the second, 
£11, 3s, 7d ; to the third, £10, 16s, 9d ; to the fourth, £9, 7s, 
6d. From this time onward the moving of the Grammar 
school to different precincts appears to have been discontinued ; 
but a master qualified to teach the classics was employed in one 
precinct at least, and sometimes in two or three. The district 
system had become an established fact, sanctioned by satisfac- 
tory usage in the entire absence of any law permitting or 
requiring it. It was, indeed, the only practicable method of 
conducting schools under the conditions then existing, and 
grew out of the exersise of good sense, shaping plans to 
circumstances. 

In the winter of 1756-7 Ebenezer Bacon taught in the 
South Precinct, and again in 1759-60, and probably the two 
intervening winters. The son of William and Expedience, he 
was born Oct. 6, 1721 ; and on Feb. 6, 1745-6 he and his wife, 
Rebecca, were received into full communion with the South 
Church. 

James Draper managed the education of East Street in 
1756-7. This was Capt. Draper, the father of Maj. Abijah 
whose name appears on the Pitt Monument in Ded ham Village. 

In the winter of 1756-7, and also of 1759-60, John Jones 
was the teachcir in the Fourth Precinct, now Dover. Born in 
Weston, Mass., Oct. 30, 1716, as teacher, land surveyor, 
deacon, and magistrate, he was a consjoicuous character in the 
town of Dedham for many 3''ears. He surveyed Mt. Desert 
Island, Maine, for the Province of Massachusetts Bay in 1762-3. 
He was a firm Loyalist ; and in 1774 was visited by a body of 
citizens and required to vacate his ofiioe, held under King 
George, which he is said to have done without any sacrifice of 
his dignity. After this he was not molested for his fidelity to his 



62 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

sovereign. Some years after the close of the revolution, he was 
appointed a justice of Suffolk County by the Governor, and 
was as faithful to the new government as he had been to the 
old. His first wife was Hannah Morse, and his second Tabitha 
Battelle : he had six daughters and four sons. He died in 
1801 in the eighty-fifth year of his age. 

The summer of 1757 is to be remembered as the time when 
the records show that the Town began to employ women as 
teachers. Mary Green is the name first recorded ; and she in~ 
structed the children of the fourth precinct. It would be 
pleasant to speak more full}' of this pioneer school-mistress ; 
but we can only say that her success was such as to warrant 
the policy of giving women a large share in the work of school 
instruction. 

But Miss Green was not entirely alone in this new field of 
labor. Bethiah Colburn, " Nathaniel Colburn's daughter," had 
charge of the Clapboard trees School the same summer of 1757. 
Of her we can only sa,y with certainty that, born Jan. 13, 
1734-5, she died July 15, 1762. She, doubtless, as well as 
Miss Green, was educated in the Dedham Grammar School, 
where girls had probably for many years enjoyed equal privi- 
leges with boys ; although we have not been able to find any- 
thing in the records to show how early the schools were open 
to both sexes alike. It is believed that, for many years after 
girls began to attend the town school, they were not expected 
to study arithmetic, that being considered an almost useless 
subject for women to understand. " The Ladies' Accidence," 
a kind of English grammar, was thought a more appropriate 
study for the feminine intellect. 

In 1757 the Grammar School came under the instruction 
of Edward Brooks, who had just graduated from Harvard Col- 
lege. He was born in Medford, Mass., became a member of the 
Church in Dedham, Feb. 5, 1758, and was dismissed from it 
June 10, 1764, to settle in the ministry at North Yarmouth, 
Me., where he was ordained July 4, of the same year. He Avas 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 63 

dismissed in 1769, and died in Medford in 1781. Peter C. 
Brooks, the eminent merchant, was his son ; and among his 
great-grandchildren are Bishop Phillips Brooks and the sons 
of Charles Francis Adams and Edward Everett. 

We find Abner Ellis as teacher in the (Clapboard trees 
School in 1757-8. This record may be his : " Marrjed by 
y« Rev'd Mr. Andrew Tyler. Abner Ellis & Meletiah Ellis, 
both of Dedham, March 3, 1756." 

Deacon Joshua Ellis taught in the Springfield Precinct in 
1757-8, also in 1764-5. 

In 1758 Susannah Bridenno was teaching in the First 
Parish. She also taught in the Third Precinct three summers, 
1761, 2 and 3. Miss Bridenno died in 1764, and by her will 
left a sum of money, and all her personal estate, about one 
hundred dollars, to establish a school, to be taught by a woman, 
in the Third Parish. Rev. George W. Cooke in his History 
of the Third Parish o-lves the names of the followino' fifteen 
persons who were paid for teaching by the income of the 
Bridenno Fund: 1800 to 1810— Rebecca Ellis, Mary Fair- 
banks, Celia Baker,Fanny Ellis, Betsy Shepherd. 1811 to 1817 
— Lydia Newell, Mrs. Mary Colburn, Polly Baker, Mrs. Hannah 
Richards. 1821 to 1828— Mrs. Delia White, Cornelia S. 
Dwight, Deborah Baker. 1831 to 1841— Rebecca Ellis, Eliza- 
beth White, Mrs. Lydia D. White. They taught in all about 
forty terms, of four weeks each, and were probably all resi- 
dents of the neighborhood ; but it has not been convenient or 
even possible to obtain further particulars of their personal 
history. One of these teachers, Mrs. C. H. Silsbee, then Miss 
Elizabeth White, says : "Being in the days of six per cent, 
and of loiv salaries, the $6 per year gave the tliree weeks* 
schooling. Accordingly such a school was kept, sometimes in 
a neighbor's house, sometimes in the porch or vestibule of the 
Church, and even one or two years in the horse sheds. It 
chanced to be omitted one year ; therefore the larr/e sum of 
$12 was accumulated, and I was asked by one of our old deacons 



64 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

if I should be too proud to keep the school for six weeks. He 

added, you must remember that 

" Honor and Shame from no condition rise, 
Act well your part, there all the virtoo lies." 

I was not too proud, and accepted the situation, enjoying 
25 little pupils in a room in my father's house. After a while 
it was so diiEcult to find any one willing to teach in this way, it 
was resolved to divide the money between the Sunday-schools 
of the Unitarian and Baptist Churches, as carrying out the 
spirit of the will as nearly as possible." So we mav truly say 
that MissBridenno, though dead, yet teacheth. 

Sarah Easty had charge of the Clapboardtrees School in 
the summer of 1758: also 1760. She is supposed to have 
come from Stoughton. 

Persilla Ellis taught ten weeks in the Springfield Parish 
in 1758. She seems to be referred to in the following record : 
" Periscilla, y® daughter of Josiah & Dorcas Ellis, was born 
May 25, 1729." 

The summer school, taught by a woman, for the benefit 
of those scholars who could not conveniently attend in the 
winter, and of those whose help was not needed on the farm, 
became now a permanent institution. Up to this time, 1758, 
fuel for the schools was not generally paid for by the town, but 
appears to have been furnished by the parents in proportion to 
the number of children they sent to the school. 

In 1758 three men graduated at Harvard and came to 
teach in theDedham schools. Simeon Howard took the school 
in the First Parish. He was born in Bridge water, Mass., 
April 29, 1733 ; held the office of Tutor in Harvard College, 
17(36-7, and was a Fellow from 1780 to 1805. As pastor of 
the West Church in Boston, and Jonathan Mayhew's successor, 
he was ordained, May 6, 1767; received the degree of S. T. 
D. from the University of Edinburgh in 1785. During the 
Revolution his Church was used as a barrack by the British, 
which only exasperated his patriotic zeal. He married twice : 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 65 

first, the widow of Dr. Maybe w ; secondly, the daughter of the 
Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Gay of Hingham. " His parishioners 
loved him as a brother and honored him as a father." His 
classical knowledge was full and accurate, and it is said that he 
cultivated it to the end of his days. 

Roland Green of Maiden was employed in the Clapboard- 
trees School several months, and one of the results is thus put 
on record : " Marryed by the Rev. Mr. Andrew Tyler. The 
Rev. Mr. Roland Green of Norton and Mrs. Hannah Fairbanks 
of Dedham." Mr. Green was ordained in Norton as the suc- 
cessor of Rev. Ebenezer White in 1761. Afterwards he was 
the minister of Marshfield, and lived till 1808, when he died 
suddenly of apoplexy on July 4, at Norton, having come 
thither to celebrate the day. 

Oakes Shaw, the third of these graduates of 1758, found 
employment in the school of the South Parish. In the Church 
Records of that parish we read : " July 1, 1759. Mr. Oakes 
Shaw was received into full communion." He was born in 
Bridge water, Mass., in 1736 ; was the minister of Barnstable, 
Mass., 1769-1807; married Susanna Hayward of Braintree, 
whose son, Lemuel Shaw, was a distinguished Chief Justice of 
the Supreme Court of Massachusetts thirty years ; his life ended 
with his ministry in 1807. 

Contemporary with the last three. Dr. Josiah Dean taught 
in the Fourth Precinct. We venture to think that the follow- 
ing record is appropriate here: "Marryed by ye Rev. Mr. 
Andrew Tyler, Josiah Dean of Upton & Abigail Richards of 
Dedham, Decem' 2, 1762." If Dr. Dean was not thus 
" marryed," we have rejoiced in vain over his supposed good 
fortune, as the reward of his patience-trying labors in primi- 
tive Dover. 

In the summer of 1759 the Centre School had for its 
teacher the Widow Ruth Thorpe, the " relict" of Samuel 
Thorpe, Jr., who died at Cape Breton, Oct. 20, 1745, aged 33 
years. Her maiden name has not been ascertained ; as no 



66 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

record is found of her marriage, we may reasonably infer that 
she was not a native of Dedham. She probably taught also in 
1760. 

In the Second or South Parish, Zeruiah Crane and Eliza- 
beth Holmes were teachers in 1759. Of the former I find no 
account : of the latter some information is contained in the 
South Parish Church Records. " May 14, 1738. Rev. Mr. 
Dexter baptized a child of Ebenezer Holmes named Elizabeth." 
In the Town Record of persons married by Rev. Thomas Balch, 
we read : "Mr. Jacob Fisher and Mrs. Elizabeth Holmes of 
Dedham, Sept. 9, 1762." That the maiden is styled IVIrs., 
accords with the fashion of that day. 

In 1759 the school in the First Parish came under the care 
of William Whitwell, who graduated at Princeton in 1758. In 
1762 he became the colleague, at Marblehead, of the Rev. John 
Barnard, whose character he ably portrayed in a funeral ser- 
mon. [See Sprague's Annals, Vol. 1., p. 254.] Mr. Whit- 
well died Nov. 8, 1781, in the twentieth year of his ministry 
and the forty-fifth of his life. A contemporary says of him ; 
" He was the gentleman and the Christian happily united. He 
was a well instructed scribe, concise, pertinent, enlightening 
and moving in all his addresses on all occasions." 

Money was paid to Mr. Jonathan Fisher for a Mr. Brick 
[or Breck] , the teacher of the Clapboardtrees School, 1759. 
Nothing further has been ascertained concerning him. But 
Jonathan Moore, a senior in Harvard College, and a native of 
Oxford, Mass., taught the usual winter term there, 1759-60. 
Mr. Moore was librarian of the College in 1767, but in 1768, 
settled in the ministry at Rochester, Mass. He was dismissed 
in 1791, and died, aged 75, in 1814. 

Jonathan Craft taught the South Parish School in the 
winter of 1759-60. All we have been able to learn of him is, 
that he graduated at Harvard in 1761, and died in 1786. 

Lydia Cheney had charge of the Fourth Precinct school in 
the summer of 1760. Two records contain her name. " Mar- 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 67 

ried by Rev'd Benjamin Caryl, Mr. Thomas Draper & Miss 
Lydia Cheney, both of Dedham, May 14, 176(3." " Mr. Tim- 
othy Merrifield & Miss Lydia Cheney, both of Dedham, May 
22, 1766." So it is ahnost certain tliat this good teacher was 
married ; but Avhether she became Mrs. Draper, or Mrs. Mer- 
rifield, it is now, perhaps, too late to determine. 

Her successor was Mehetabel Ellis, 1760-1, who appears 
to have been the first woman to teach a winter school in Ded- 
ham. She still retained her name after marriage, as the record 
shows : "Married by the Rev. Benjamin Caryl, Mr. William 
Ellis and Miss Mehetabel Ellis, both of Dedham, February 
18th, 1763." 

David Fales, sometimes styled Dr., was schoolmaster in 
East Street and South Parish four winters, from 1760 to 1765. 
There is some uncertainty as to how his time was divided. We 
think the following record relates fto him : — " Marry ed by the 
Rev. Mr. Thomas Balch. Mr. David Tales & M.'[^] Hannah 
Thorp, both of Dedham, March 9, 1762." 

Jabez Porter had charge of the Grammar School in the 
First Parish for 1760-1. He was the son of Deacon AVilliam 
and jPhebe (Dorman) Porter; born in Topsfield, Mass., Feb. 
1, 1723; graduated from Harvard, 1743. After teaching a 
year in Dedham he taught in other places, and in 1767 began 
to teach in Braintree, Mass., and continued many years fitting 
young men for college, among whom may be mentioned Rev. 
Dr. Eliphalet Porter of Roxbury, and President John Adams. 
He married Ruth Wads worth, and lived in the South Parish of 
Braintree (now Randolph), Mass., where he died Jan. 28, 1792. 

Hannah Willard taught the summer school of the First 
Parish for 1761; but of her previous, or of her subsequent 
life, no record is found. 

Phebe AVillett, beginning in 1761, was three summers in 
the teacher's desk at the South Precinct. Her subsequent life 
is learned from the Rev. Jason Haven's record. "Married 
Mr. Joseph Kingsbury & Miss Phebe Willett, both of Dedham, 



68 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Jany 3*^ 1765." As IVIrs. Kingsbury she taught in the third 
parish in 1766. 

The duty of instructing the East Street School in the 
winter of 1761-2, was entrusted to Jonas Humphrey. Our 
knowledge of hini is limited to the following record : " Marryed 
by, the Revi Mr. Sam" Dexter. Jonas Humphrey of Dorches- 
ter and Sarah Fales of Dedham, Aug. 11, 1748." 

Dr. Nathaniel Ames, the second " Almanac Maker," born 
Oct. 9, 1741, taught the " Town School," as he calls it, from 
Nov. 23, 1761 to May 4, 1762, and again from Dec. 13, 1762 
to April 16, 1763. He graduated at Harvard in 1761. From 
his diary we learn that Fisher Ames "kept school " as his 
substitute one day at least, Jan. 20, 1762. We cannot imagine 
that Dr. Ames ever had a sleepy school. If he was as earnest 
and aggressive in school as elsewhere, the idle ones found little 
comfort or sympathy. Under the date of 1790 in the Town 
Records is this statement: "This day the Select Men agreed 
with Doct. Nath Ames to keep School nine months to teach 
Latin and Greek." We think, however, that this contract was 
never fulfilled. There is no record of money paid for his ser- 
vices. His extremely active and laborious life came to an end 
in 1822. 

Jonathan Crane taught in the Third Precinct in 1761-2. 
He Avas born in Berkley in 1738 ; graduated^at Harvard in 1762 ; 
received A.M. in 1766 ; became a physician, settled in Bridge- 
water ; married 1st, jVIary, daughter of Col. Josiah Edson, 1770 ; 
2d, Lydia Adams of Kingston, 1783, and died Dec. 31, 1813. 

In the winter of 1762-3 the South Precinct employed as its 
teacher Benjamin Balch, the son of Rev. Thomas Balch. He 
graduated at Harvard College in 1763 and settled in the minis- 
try in the town of Mendon. In the summer of 1763 Elizabeth 
Balch, sister of the above, succeeded him in the school. The 
great event of her life is thus recorded : "May 8, 1766, Mr. 
Jonathan Dean & Miss Eliza. Balch, both of Dedham, were 
married." 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 69 

In 17-52 a school house in the First Parish near the meet- 
ting house was built with money raised by a subscription 
amounting to 134 1 13 » 3 ^ old tenor. It was 26 by 18 feet; 
Dea. Badlam built the Chimney for 6 i ; the lock cost 2^5*; a 
thousand shingle nails cost 1^4*; and according to the fashion 
of the time raising the frame of this immense structure was 
made pleasant by the consumption of " six quarts of rum and 
one pound of sugar," which cost 1 ^ 14 * 6 **. 

Rev. Ephraim Ward graduated at Harvard College in 1763, 
and taught the Centre School the two subsequent winters. He 
was born in Newton and was ordained in West Brookfield, Oct. 
23, 1771, Mr. Haven of Dedham preaching the sermon. The 
same minister did him another favor. " Married by Rev. Jason 
Haven The Rev** Mr. Ephraim Ward of Brookfield and Miss 
Mary Dexter of Dedham, Nov^ 28th 1771." Mr. Ward died 
March 19, 1818, at the age of 77. 

The South Precinct, 1763-4, employed in its school Seth 
Bullard of Walpole. On Nov. 3, 1761, he had married Joanna 
Lewis of Dedham, and he was again in charge of the school in 
1769-70. He was active in the town affairs of Walpole; a 
member of a committee to prepare resolutions on public affairs 
in 1773 ; Captain of a militia companj' in 1775, and Represen- 
tative of the town in the General Court eleven years, the last 
time in 1800. 

The same winter, 1763-4, another Walpole man, Enoch 
Ellis, taught the school in the Third Precinct. We suppose 
he also found a wife in Dedham. This is the record : " Mar- 
riages — Mr. Enoch Ellis of Walpole & Miss Juletta Ellis of 
Dedham May 21, 1766." His prominence in town affairs is 
shown by the fact that he was chosen as delegate to represent 
the town in the Provincial Congress of 1774. He was also 
chosen a delegate for six months to the Congress to be held at 
Watertown in 1775. 

IVIary Balch taught the summer school of the South Parish 
in 1764. There are two records made by her father, Rev. 



70 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Thomas Balch, which are of interest here : — " Nov. 16, 1740. 
Baptized my dear daughter named Mary the same day she was 
born." " Oct. 8, 1766. Mr. Manassah Cutler and Miss Mary 
Baic'Ii of Dedliam were married." 

Sarah Draper taught in Clapboardtrees two summers, 1764 
and 1765. The following record may relate to her : — " Sarah 
y^ daughter of Joseph and Deborah Draper, born Nov. 29, 1735." 

Mary ^Slorse was the teacher of the summer school. Third 
Precinct, in 1764. The following record may relate to her : — 
"" May 4, 176L) John Dean jr. lV: Mary Morse, both of Dedliam, 
were married." 

Jesse Ellis, beginning in 1764, taught two winters in the 
Third Parish, and probably taught two fall or spring terms in 
the Fourth pr Springfield Parish. In the Dedham Ilecord of 
Births we find this : — " Jesse y^ son of Aaron Ellis & Ziporah 

Ellis born 25, 1740." No earlier Jesse Ellis is found 

in the Dedham Records. 

Benjamin Chapin taught in the Fourth or Springfield 
Precinct, two winters, 1764-5 and 1765-6. He was born May 
24, 1736, and married Margaret Colton, March 4, 1760. He 
is the onl}^ Benjamin Chapin of that time who could have been 
the teacher. 

Jeremiah Whitney was paid for teaching in Dedham 1764-5. 
In what precinct is unknown. A Jere Whitney, son of Nathan 
and Mary (Holman) born April 1, 1727, is the only one of that 
name in the Whitney genealogy Avho could have been the 
teacher. 

Abigail Fisher taught in Clapboardtrees, 1765. In the 
Dedham Record of Marriages for 1767, there are three Abigail 
Fishers. We trust our schoolmistress was one of them, and 
that she became either Mrs. Burridge, or Mrs. Kingsbury, or 
Mrs. Starrett. 

Seth Ames, Harvard College, 1764, was in charge of the 
town school three successive winters, 1765, 1766 and 1767-8. 
He was the son of Dr. Nathaniel and Deborah Ames, born Feb. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 71 

14, 1743 and died in 1778. Dr. Ames often mentions this 
brother in his diary. It is said that he served as a surgeon in 
the American Army of the Revolution. 

Manasseh Cutler, Yale College 1765, taught in the South 
Precinct from December, 1765 till April 1, 1766. He was a 
native of Killingly, Conn., the son of Hezekiah and Susannah 
(Clark) Cutler, born May 13, 1742 ; married Mary Balch, 
daughter of Rev. Thomas Balch of Dedham, Oct. 8, 1766. 
From his journal we learn that his school numbered over ninety 
pupils. He studied law and began the practice of it in Edgar- 
town, Mass. ; then studied theology and settled in the ministry 
at Hamilton, Mass. ; was chaplain in the Continental Anny two 
campaigns; as chief agent of the Ohio Co., he purchased 
1,500,000 acres of land ; was a member of Congress two terms ; 
studied medicine and practised successfully ; opened a board- 
ing school and fitted young men for College, and taught navi- 
gation. He received L. L. D. from Yale in 1789, and was a 
member of many learned societies. He continued his ministry 
till near the end of his life — about fifty-two years — and near 
its close he had to be carried into his pulpit, and sat during the 
delivery of his sermons. He died July 28, 1823. His Biog- 
raphy may be found in Sprague's Annals, Vol. H ; and his 
Life, Journals and Correspondence in two volumes may be con- 
sulted at the rooms of the Dedham Historical Society. 

Rebecca Newell was the teacher of the Third Parish in 
1765 and again in 1768. She soon changed her name. " Mar- 
ried, Ichabod Ellis of Dedham and Rebecca Newell of Need- 
ham, Mar. 23, 1769." She died July 3, 1831, aged 86. 

Mrs. Job Richards taught in the Third Parish 1765, 'QQ 
and '68. "Married by the Rev. Jason Haven, Job Richards & 
Mary Gay, both of Dedham, May 10, 1757." Job's Island 
took its name from her husband. 

Rev. Nathaniel Fisher was the teacher of a school in some 
part of Dedham in 1766-7. In Dr. Ames' Diary we find this 
characteristic entry : ' ' Nat Fisher live at Mr. Battles in qual- 



72 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

ity of Pedagogue." He graduated from Harvard College in 
1763. He was the son of Capt. Jeremiah (H. C. 1726) and 
Elizabeth (Cook) Fisher of Dedham, and was born July 8,1742. 
He was the uncle of Fisher Ames ; married Silence, daughter 
of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Baker. He was missionary teacher 
in Nova Scotia at the beginning of the Revolution ; ordained in 
1777 by Dr. Lowth ; was Rector of Annapolis and Granville, 
1778-1782, when he returned to Massachusetts; was Rector 
of St. Peter's, Salem, from Feb. 25, 1782, till his death, Dec. 
20, 1812, on Sunday after preaching from this text : "How 
long have I to live ? " A volume of his sermons was printed in 
1818. 

Mary Newell, teacher in the Clapbordtree District in 1766, 
probably became Mrs. Whiting. So runs the record : " Nathan 
Whiting of Dedham and Mary Newell of Need ham, Nov. 25." 
[Pub. 1775.] 

Jonathan Felt taught in the South Parish 1766-7. The 
following record of the South Parish is supposed to refer to 
him. " Jonathan Felt and Lovewell his wife Having been dis- 
missed from the Church of X in Lynn to which they belonged 
and Recommended to us were this day June 18th, 1758, Re- 
ceived by the Church." He had a son Jonathan, born in 1747, 
who was probably too young to be the schoolmaster. 

In 1767-8 William Keous taught in the South Parish. In 
the South Parish Records we find this : " Dec. 3, 1758. Wil- 
liam Keous, Born in Kirkolm Parish in the County of Galloway 
in Scotland belong-ino; to the Church in sd Kirkolm of which 
Mr. James McCuUoch is Pastor, was by vote of the Ch'h re- 
ceived to occasional communion wth ye Chh. (N. B. Kirkcum 
McCullogh)" Mr. Keous graduated at Harvard 1768 : A. M. 
1775. 

Mr. Andrew Peters was schoolmaster in the Fourth Parish 
1756-7. He was the son of William and Hannah (Chenery) 
Peters of Medfield, and was born in 1742. Resided in Mendon, 
Mass. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 73 

Eliphalet Pond, Jr., was the teacher in East St., 1766-7. 
He was born April 11, 1745. Married Sally Richards May 29, 
1769. Capt. Pond, as he was commonly styled, resumed teach- 
ing in 1784, and the First Middle School was under his care 
every winter until 1793. He was Town Clerk for twenty-five 
years. Selectman sixteen years. Register of Deeds from 1793 
till his death, or about twenty years. No one can examine his 
Records without being reminded that he was an accurate scholar 
as well as an expert penman. The School, the Town, and the 
County were all fortunate in enjoying so long his valuable ser- 
vices. He died July 13, 1813. 

The South Parish for two winters, 1768-9 and 1769-70, 
had for a teacher Jeremiah Kingsbury, who is supposed to be 
the subject of this Record of the South Church: "Oct. 28, 
1759. Jeremiah Kingsbury Junr. & Abigail his wife were rec'd 
into full Communion." He died June 3, 1788, aged 57. 

Ebenezer Battelle, Jr., teacher in the Fourth Precinct 
1768-9, was in the Third Precinct in the same capacity in 
1770-71. Was this Col. Ebenezer Battelle, Jr., or Ebenezer 
Battelle, Jr., who entered college in 1771? We incline to be- 
lieve it was the Colonel, and that he had a well-disciplined 
school. 

Jonathan Metcalf, Esq., taught the East Street School in 
1768-9. It was not unusual for the prominent citizens of that 
day to take charge of the winter schools. Apparently they took 
the duty as one they owed to the community. Esquire Metcalf 
was often emploj^ed in town affairs, and in 1776, 1778, and 
1779 was a representative of Dedham in the General Court. 

Samuel Shuttleworth, son of Samuel and Abigail (Whiting) 
Shuttleworth, began to teach in the Third Precinct of Dedham 
in 1768-9 ; afterwards taught in East Street several winters, 
making in all not less than twelve winters of teaching in Ded- 
ham. Born in 1751, graduating at Harvard in 1777, he settled 
in the ministry at Windsor, Vt., in 1790. This is his record : 
" B}^ Rev. Mr. Jason Haven, Rev. Samuel Shuttleworth of 



74 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Windsor (Vt.) & Miss Deborali Ames of Dcdliam, Jiin. 1, 
1792." A portrait of Deborah Ames supposed to be a Copley, 
may be seen in the Library of the Dedham Historical Society. 
It seems that ho began to teach when 17 ; graduated at 26, set- 
tled in the ministry at 39, and died in 1834 at the age of 83. 

Ebenezer Starr, son of Jonathan and Sarah, was born May 
1, 1744, graduated H. C. 1768, and was in charge of the Centre 
School 1769-70. He settled in Dunstable, Mass., and was a 
practising physician there till he died, Sept. 7, 1798. 

"Enoch, ye son of Ebenezer & Abigail Kingsbury, born 
Desemr 7th, 1738." This record introduces us to the man who 
taught in the First Parish in 1770-71, also in the west part of 
the Third Parish in 1774-5-6 & 7, and in the north part of the 
Third Parish in 1778. Other facts of his life are wanting. 

liev. Wm. Gay Ballantine, H. C. 1771, taught the Gram- 
mar School 31 weeks in 1771-2, also in 1772-3. This record 
will be pertinent: " Marryed by the Revend. Mr. Samuel 
Dexter. The Revd. Mr. John Ballcntine of Westtield & Mrs. 
Mary Gay of Dcdliam Septemr 20, 1743." This man was the 
minister of Westfield, Mass., about 40 years, where his son 
William Gay was born in 1751 ; graduated at Harvard in 1771, 
and lived till 1820. 

Dea. Ichabod Ellis taught in the Third Parish the winter 
of 1771-2. He married Rebecca Newell of Needham as pre- 
viously stated. His epitaph shows that he died Jan. 14,1811, 
aged GS. 

In the summer of 1772 the Fourth Precinct had for its 
teacher Mrs. John Chickering, whose maiden name Avas Eliza- 
beth Gay. She became Mrs. Chickering Jan 9, 1766. 

Capt. Hczekiah Allen was her successor, 1772-3. As he 
was in his fiftieth ycav and accustomed to command men, he 
doubtless was master of his school. Born in 1724, he married 
Mary Peters of Medfield in 1757, and died Aug. 16, 1775. 

In 1773-4 we find Jabez Chickering, then twenty years old, 
teaching in the Third Parish. He was the son of Joseph Chick- 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 75 

ering; born in 1753; graduated at Harvard in 1774; married 
Hannah, the daughter of Kev, Thomas Balch, 1777 ; and about 
the first of July, 1776, settled in the ministry of the Second 
Parish of Dedham as Mr. Balch's successor. After a prosperous 
ministry of nearly thirty-six years, he died, March 12, 1812, in 
the 59th year of his age. 

The same winter John Eliot had charge of the Grammar 
School in the First Parish. He was the son of Dr. Andrew 
Eliot, pastor of the New North Church of Boston, and was born 
May 31, 1754. He became a member of the Dedham Church 
Jan. 4, 1774, and in the church record of dismissions from the 
First Parish (p. 91) we read: "Oct. 24, 1779. Mr. John 
Eliot to ye new North Church, Boston over which he is to be 
ordained." He was ordained Nov. 3, 1779, and received the 
degree of S. T. D. from Edinboro' University in 1798. He 
co-operated with Dr. Belknap in establishing the Massachusetts 
Historical Society, and was the author of the New England 
Biographical Dictionary. He died Feb. 14, 1813. 

Mrs. Samuel Richards, or Hannah Richards, was the 
teacher of the summer school of the First Parish in 1774, and 
again she was in the same position in 1777. The following 
record evidently refers to her: " Marryed by ye Revnd Mr, 
Samll. Dexter, Samll. Richards, & Hannah Metcalf, Dedham, 
Sept. 28, 1737." She was the grandmother of the late Edward 
Metcalf Richards, and consequent!}^ the ancestor of some of the 
most active members of the Dedham Historical Society. 

Jose})h Haven, Jr., H. C, 1774, taught in the First Parish 
1774-5. Rev. Mr. Haven was paid for boarding him thirtyfive 
weeks. He married the daughter of Nathaniel Fish of Needham, 
Mass., and was settled as a minister in Rochester, N. H., where 
he died in 1825. 

Philip Draper began to teach in the Third Precinct in 1774, 
and taught there each year till 1777. He graduated at Harvard 
in 1780 ; was a physician, and died in South Dedham (now 



76 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEKS 

Norwood), March 21, 1817, aged 60. His two sons, Jeremiah 
and Moses, graduated from Harvard College in 1808. 

Joseph Crosby, H. C. 1772, was teaching in Dedham from 
1774 till 1778. On July 1, 1776, he was paid £10 for teaching 
four months and two weeks " last winter." 

In 1775 Sarah Onion taught in Clapboardtrees precinct, 
and again in 1783. She was born, Oct. 2, 1749, and married 
Stephen Whiting in 1791. It is not unlikely that she taught 
in several other years, as sometimes the money to pay the 
teachers of the summer school was given to the precinct agent, 
and the names of the teachers do not appear in the town record. 

Daniel Chickering, Jr., taught in the Fourth Precinct two 
winters 1775-6 and 1776-7. The following is supposed to be 
his record : " Daniel, son of Danll & Keziah Chickring, born 
Augst 20, 1758." Consequently we infer that he became a 
teacher in his eighteenth year. 

Ebenezer Newell, Jr., was paid for teaching school in 
Dedham in 1776. In what precinct he did his work is not 
known. The following are probably his records : " Ebenezer, 
ye son of Ebenezer & Elizabeth Newell, born Oct. ye 18,1736." 
"Ebenezer Newell, Jr., of Dedham to Elizabeth Wheaton of 
Needham, April 24, 1760, by Rev. Mr. Jonathan Townsend." 

Rev. Ebenezer Wight began to teach in the First Parish 
in 1775, and continued for two winters. His admission to the 
Dedham Church is thus recorded : " Oct. 15, 1775. Ebenezer 
Wight Junr, Student, at ye College at Providence." His dis- 
mission thus : " Feb. 15, 1778. Mr. Ebenr. Wight to South 
Church, Boston, over which he is to be ordained as pastor." 
Mr. Wiffht received a unanimous call to the Hollis Street 
Church, and was ordained, Feb. 25, 1778, as the successor of 
the facetious Dr. Mather Byles. He was a popular preacher, 
but resigned his pastorate in 1788, and afterward taught a 
private school twelve years in Dedham, where he died Sept. 25, 
1821. Though he studied for awhile at BroAvn University, he 
graduated at Harvard in 1776. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 77 

The Third Precinct employed Anna Baker in its school 
during two summers, 1776 and 1777. On June 4, 1778, she 
married Nathan Newell of Needham. 

John Haven appears as a teacher in Dedham, 1775 and 
1777. It is not quite certain in what school we ought to place 
him. He graduated at Harvard in 1757 ; was the son of 
Joseph and Mehetabel, born in Framingham, June 2, 1735 ; 
was a schoolmaster many years ; removed to Greenland, Exeter, 
and finally to Lancaster, N. H., where in 1837 he was living 
with his wife, formerly Anna Stone of Framingham. 

The East Street School during three winters, 1775-6, '6-7, 
and '7-8, was in the care of Richard Woodward, Jr., the son 
of Richard and Susannah (Luce) Wood ward, who married Deb- 
orah Ames of Dedham, Aug. 31, 1771. 

The winter school of 1777-8 in the Fourth Precinct was 
taught by Nathaniel Battelle. This record may be his : " Nov. 
29, 1764, Nathaniel Battle of Dedham, Silence Kingsbury of 
Wrentham." 

In 1780 the school money was appropriated as follows : — 
Fu-st Precinct, £2308 6 
Second " 1146 4 5 

Third " 1126 6 2 

Fourth " 1418 13 3 

This represents the extreme inflation of the Continental 
currency. 

The penmanship of a hundred years ago was all executed 
with the quill pen ; and yet it was remarkably good. It is 
rare to find any writing of the present day to compare with it. 
The method of teaching it was exact and laborious. For sev- 
eral years the beginners wrote only coarse hands, the short 
letters extending from line to line of paper coarsely ruled, say 
a half an inch apart. These letters were practised on till they 
were correct in shadins: and in the delicate hair lines. Es- 
pecially was the pupil trained to hold the pen correctly, and 
rest the nibs equally on the paper, so as to make a perfectly 



78 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS ^z 

smooth line. Holding the pen correctly alyo caused the letters 
to take the proper slant. After a good degree of excellence 
in the short letters had been attained, the longer letters were 
practised on, the easier ones first, and so progressing to the f, 
which was considered the most difticult. It was two or three 
years before the capitals were undertaken, and at least two 
winters were consumed in mastering them. To secure freedom 
of hand, the pupil practised on the wave line in all its com- 
binations in the most elaborate forms of the capital letters ; at 
the same time maintaining the utmost regularity in the angle 
and leno-th of the small letters. Fiiiallv the same forms were 
diminished to what is called fine hand. This, in its perfection, 
was almost equal to impressions made by the copper plate. 
Account books a hundred years old often show in their head- 
ings what the goose-quill pen was capable of doing. One of 
the most interesting and finished specimens of the art I ever saw 
was a bill nmde out by Dr. Jonathan Pope, in which he charged 
three pounds and twelve shillings for removing a cancer from 
the face of Jonathan Metcalf, Esq., and healing the ulcer. If 
his surgery equalled his penmanship, it must have been well 
worth the price charged in 178!j. 

Needlework was taught in the Dedham schools at a very 
early date. Patchwork, samplers and embroidery were com- 
mon as early as 1780, aiid perhaps earlier. An exhibit of the 
pupil's skill in these branches of the art was generally made at 
the closing day of the school ; and among the old families one 
may still see treasured specimens of what was done by great- 
grandmothers in the early schools. 

The boys also were not less expert in making things for 
school use. As they were expected to rule their own copy- 
books, for no ruled paper was then sold in the stores, each one 
was accustomed to make his own ruler as shapely and handsome 
as possible. Also he fashioned his plummet to be used as a 
pencil in ruling ; sometimes it took the shape of a hatchet or 
tomahawk. Many cast their own pewter inkstands ; and some 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 7D 

even made their own ink, consisting chiefly of a decoction from 
oak bark and a modicum of iron rust. They were all ambitious 
to make and mend their own pens, and therefore generally 
carried in their pockets good, well sharpened pen knifes for 
that use. A school boy without a knife in his pocket was re- 
garded as somewhat lacking in smartness. The slate and slate 
pencil, now utterly extinct in our schools, taxed the boys' in- 
genuity in framing, adorning and keeping them clean and in 
good condition. 

In the winter the boys who were old enough took turns 
in building the morning fire an hour before the school com- 
menced. The older girls swept and dusted the school room 
and its furniture. Thus the school of early days fostered in- 
dustrial and housekeeping ability, which we need not say, was 
highly profitable ; and besides it encouraged self-help. The 
boys sharpened their own tools ; and would have been greatly 
amused at the idea of hiring a person to sharpen their pencils. 
Under such conditions the boys and girls acquired a very good 
education ; and, in the general results, the old schools com- 
pared favorably with the methods of the twentieth century. 

Moses Haven, H. C. 1782, taught the grammar school in 
1782-3. He was a nephew of Rev. Jason Haven, being the 
son of his brother Isaac and Ruth (Grant) Haven, and was 
born in Framingham, Sept. 5, 1754; died April 3, 1785. 

Caleb Child taught school in the First Parish, in the winter 
of 1783-4. He was the seventh child of Caleb and Rebecca 
(Dana) Child, born in Brookline, May 13, 1767; graduated 
at Harvard College, 1787 ; after teaching five years and preach- 
ing occasionally in Roxbury he went to Albany, N. Y., and 
opened a school. June 1, 1798, he was certified as a Physician 
at Poughkeepsie and March 3, 1803, was appointed surgeon of 
a militia regiment. At Troy, N. Y., he was for several years 
apothecary, doctor, and preacher. July 21, 1799, he married 
Sarah Bramhall, of Armenia, N. Y. He died at Albany, Jan., 
1830. 



80 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Rev. Ichabod Draper, H. C. 1783, was in charge of the 
grammar school, 1783-4. The eleventh child of Timothy and 
Hannah Draper, he was born in West Dedham, Aug. 24, 1755. 
He was settled in 1785 over a church in Amherst, N. H. ; mar- 
ried Sarah Bowles of Amherst, Dec. 6, 1798 ; resigned his 
charge in 1809, but lived in Amherst till his death, Dec. 17, 
1827. He served as a sergeant in the war of the American 
Revolution. 

Mrs. Daniel Gookin taught the summer school of the First 
Parish in 1784. According to the Town Records Daniel 
Gookin, of Dedham, married Finis Peters, of Medfield, March 
4, 1784. She was the daughter of William and Hannah 
(Chenerj) Peters, born June 4, 1749, in Medfield, the young- 
est of eleven children. 

It is a fact worth rememberino; that durino; the Revolu- 
tion, or from 1775 to 1783, nine graduates of Harvard College 
were employed as teachers in the Dedham schools from one to 
four terms each. This shows that the stress of war did not 
lower their standard as some have supposed. As the currency 
became inflated the appropriation was increased, till in 1780 it 
became 6000 £. 

Peter Woodward, H. C. 1776, was the teacher of the 
Third Parish in 1784-5. Among the baptisms of the First 
Church is the following : " Dec. 17, 1752, Peter, son of Mr. 
Richard and Mrs. Susanna (Luce) Woodward." 

Thomas Hammond was schoolmaster in the Third Parish, 
1785. He was born in Rochester, Aug. 17, 1766, graduated 
from Harvard College in 1787, and died in New Bedford, 1803. 

In 1785-6, Henry Ware taught in the First Parish. He 
had just graduated, H. C. 1785, with highest honors. Born 
in Sherborn, April 1, 17(j4, he was settled as the successor of 
Dr. Ebenezer Gay at Hingham, Oct. 24, 1787. He became 
Hollis Professor at Harvard College in 1805. He had three 
wives and nineteen children — a school of his own. See 
Sprague's Annals, Unitarian Pulpit, for an interesting biography. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 81 

Lydia Clark had charge of the summer school of the First 
Parish in 1786. She came from Medfield, and Mr. Simeon 
Gould took very seasonable measures to secure her for a home 
in Dedham. Plis intention to marry her bears the date Nov. 
11, 1786 ; and Dr. Prentice of Medfield made her Mrs. Gould 
on the nineteenth of April, 1788. So deliberate a marriage 
ought to be a happy one. 

The Third Precinctduring two winters, 1784-5 and 1785-6, 
enjoyed the services of Daniel Mayo, a student at Harvard 
College, from which he graduated in 1787. He was born at 
Warwick, Sept. 13, 1762, and lived till 1838; but of these 
fifty-one years of his post-graduate life we can give no account. 
He died in Newport, Kentucky. 

In the winter of 1786-7 the Third Parish School was under 
the instruction of Solomon Vose, who graduated at Harvard 
College the next summer. He was the son of Col. Joseph and 
Sarah (Howe) Vose, of Milton, Mass., born July 22, 1768. 
After graduating he first settled in trade in Charleston, S. C. ; 
but a dangerous illness soon caused him to return to the North, 
and he entered upon law studies with Hon. Levi Lincoln of 
Worcester, Mass. He commenced practice in Northfield,Mass. , 
where he was appointed the first postmaster in 1798, and in 
1801 and 1802 he was chosen Representative to the General 
Court; but he removed to Augusta, Maine, in 1805, having 
married Eliza Putnam Chandler, of Worcester, Sept. 11, 1796. 
He was successful in the law; but died suddenly, July 11, 
1809, leaving four sons. His Avidow survived him fifty-two 
years, dying in 1862 at the age of ninety-one. He is spoken 
of as a man of "a noble figure, an impressive presence, and 
martial bearing." Several of his descendants have graduated 
from the New England colleg-es. 

The same winter Jesse, the son of Enoch Ellis, taught in 
the eastern part of the Third Parish, where now is the Fisher 
School. He was probably the son of Enoch Ellis, of Walpole, 



82 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

who married Juletta Ellis, of Dedham, and taught in the third 
parish in 17(53-4. 

In 1786-7 and 1787-8 John Wiswall had charge of the 
Mill School, here mentioned for the first time. His introduc- 
tion to Dedham was somewhat earlier, according to this record : 
"Married by Rev'd. Mr. Haven, Dec. 30th, 1784, Mr. John 
Wiswall, of Newton, and Miss Lois Worsley, of Dedham." 

From 17 80 to 1789, George Ellis, of Medfield, taught the 
North School of the Third Precinct, here first mentioned, now 
known as the Burgess School. He was the son of Samuel and 
Sarah (Morse) Ellis, born in 1763. He taught in Medfield, 
1784; went into trade in partnership with Johnson Mason ; 
was Coroner, Selectman and Town Treasurer; married, 1786, 
Martha Chaloner ; secondly, 1795, Moriel Fuller, of Newton : 
and thirdly, in 1797, Deborah Baker, of Dedham. His first 
wife bore him four children; Betsey, Mrs. Hensdale Fisher ; 
John, who died at the age of 98 years ; Patty, Mrs. Sheriff 
John Baker, Dedham ; George, Treasurer of Norfolk County. 
Mr. Ellis died in 1808 ; his widow survived him 40 years. 

Deborah Baker taught summer schools in the Third Parish, 
1787 and 1788 ; also in East Street, 1789. That George and 
Deborah formed a pleasant acquaintance while they alternated 
in school duties, a[)pears from the following : — 

Married by the Rev** Thomas Thacher, Feb. 16 [1797], George 
Ellis, Medfield, to Deborah Baker of Dedham. 

Low Plain School first appears in the records in 1786-7, 
when Lemuel French was the teacher. He was born May 16, 
1770, and died Feb. 8, 1809. Married Mary Bailey, sister of 
John Bailey, Representative to Congress, 1823-1831. His 
son, George French, was famous as a maker of telescopes. 
Lemuel French lived near the corner of Washinsfton and Green 
Lodge streets, Canton, Mass. The house is now (1892) used 
as a barn. 

Benjamin Weatherbee, Jr., taught one of the schools of 
the Third Precinct in 1786-7. The following records exist : 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 83 

Benjamin, son of Benjamin and Susanna (Aldridge) Weatherbee, 
born Oct. 19, 1762. By Rev'd. Jabez Chickering, Benj'n Weatherbee 
[Jr.]. and Lucy Morse, both of Dedham, Dec. 1st, 1785, Died. Oct. 
6, 1827, Benjamin Weatherbee, aged 65. 

The name is still respected in Dedham. 

Sarah Avery, the daughter of Jonathan, taught the Middle 
School of the First Pari.sh two summers, 1787 and 1788. She 
married Dea. Jonathan Richards, and they resided on the estate 
in Dedham, now known as Broad Oak, the home of the late 
Rev. Ebenezer Burgess, D. D., where the late Dea. Edward 
P. Burgess resided. 

Polly Wheaton taught the school three weeks in the First 
Parish in the summer of 1787. 

The Low Plain School was taught by Jonathan Fisher in 
1787-8. He was the son of Jonathan and Catherine (Avery) 
Fisher, born in New Braintree, Mass., Oct. 7, 1768. In 
Sprague's Annals, his remarkable biography may be found. 
The following extract from it is pertinent here : — " About 
the close of 1787 he engaged in teaching a school in Dedham 
for three dollars per month. Here he continued for three 
months, at the same time prosecuting his own studies, and im- 
proving his hours of relaxation by making bird-cages which he 
turned to some pecuniary account. He entered the freshman 
class at Harvard in Jul}^ 1788. At a public exhibition in 1790 
he delivered a Hebrew oration. While at Cambridge he pre- 
pared a philosophical alphabet and combined with it a system 
of stenography. In this he wrote more than twenty-five hun- 
dred sermons ; the alphabet saved about one page in seven, 
and the stenography saved about half the paper and half the 
time in writing his sermons. He wrote French, Latin, Greek, 
and Hebrew with facility; and, to fill up his leisure, made a 
Hebrew lexicon. He settled in the ministry at Blue Hill, 
Maine, in 179(3, where he spent a pastorate of forty-one years. 
He published a volume on scripture animals, of which the 
illustrations, drawn and engraved by his own hand, were a 



84 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEKS 

great curiosity. The frontispiece of this book contains several 
trees, in the branches of which there is said to be a good pro- 
file likeness of the author. He was instrumental in founding 
the Blue Hill Academy, and in securing for it an endowment 
of half a township of land. He was a ' prodigy of industry to 
the end of his life,' which came on the 22d of September, 1847." 

Every one who visits Dedham admires the Judge Haven 
house, recently owned and occupied by the late John R. 
Bullard. This house was built, and the noble English elms in 
front of it were planted, by Samuel Haven, who taught the 
Third Precinct School in 1787-8 and 1788-9. He was the 
son of Rev. Joseph and Catharine (Dexter) Haven, born April 
5, 1771 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1789; studied law 
with Hon. Fisher Ames of Dedham, and with his cousin, the 
Hon. Samuel Dexter of Boston. On the formation of Norfolk 
County, he was appointed Register of Probate, an office which 
he held for forty years. He was also Chief Justice of the 
Court of Common Pleas from 1804 till that court was abolished 
about 1811. He died in Roxbury, Sept. 4, 1847. He might 
be called a boy teacher, as he finished his second term, or 
winter before he completed his eighteenth year. 

William Douglas was a schoolmaster in Dedham in 1788- 
89, but in what school, and for how long a term, is not 
ascertained. 

The East Street School was taught by John Tyler in the 
winter of 1788-9. He is supposed to be " John, ye son of ye 
Revd. Mr. Andrew and Mrs. Mary Tyler, born March 14th 
1763." No other John Tyler of that age has been found. 

The next winter, 1789-90, in the same school, as teacher, 
we find John Metcalf, probably the son of Joseph and Ruth, 
born May 7, 1769. 

The South Branch School of the Second Precinct was 
taught by Lewis Thorp in the winter of 1788-9. This record 
of Parson Balch, probably relates to him: — "Jan. 18, 1767. 
Baptized a child of Ephal [Eliphalet] Thorp, named Lewis." 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 85 

Probably his mother's name was Hannah (Lewis) Thorp, who 
was married to Eliphalet, Dec. 17, 1762, by the Rev. Thomas 
Balch. 

Caleb Ellis, Harvard College, 1793, taught in the East 
District of the Third Parish in 1788-9, and 1792-3. He was 
the son of Enoch and Juletta (Ellis) Ellis, born in Walpole, 
Mass., April 16, 1767. See Dedham Historical Register, Vol. 
ni, page 177. He practised law in Claremont, N. H. ; was a 
member of Congress, 1804 to 1809 ; Associate Justice of Su- 
perior Court from 1813 till May 9, 1816, the date of his death. 
He married Miss Nancv Means of Amherst, N. H., Feb. 4 
1816. His widow married Amos Lawrence of Boston. She 
died Nov. 27, 1866. Caleb Ellis left a bequest of $5,000 for 
the support of the ministry in Claremont. 

In the same school Olive Ellis taught three summers, 1788, 
1789 and 1790. She was the daughter of William and Olive 
(Fairbanks) Ellis, born Feb. 3, 1767. What is remarkable, 
she died Feb. 3, 1837, having lived exactly the allotted age of 
man, three score and ten years, still bearing the same pretty 
name which she took from her mother. 

Dr. Samuel Gould of Needham, was for several winters a 
teacher in Dedham : of the Mill School, 1788-9 ; East Street, 
1792-3 ; North School of Third Parish, 1797 ; and the Second 
Middle School, 1798. He wcs the son of Maj. George and 
Rachael (Dwight) Gould, born in Sutton, Mass., Nov. 29, 1770, 
and married Esther, daughter of Jonathan Kingsbury. Where 
he was known it was esteemed a compliment to be called " as 
polite as Dr. Gould." 

In 1789 the teacher of the North District, Third Parish, 
was Miss Betsey Wood. I find this record: "Married by 
the Revd. Mr. Thomas Thacher . . . April 19th [1791] Mr. 
Edward Whiting to Miss Elizabeth Wood, both of Dedham." 

In 1789, School Districts were established by a statute 
in the following terms: "Be it enacted that the several 
towns and districts in this Commonwealth be, and they are 



86 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

hereby authorized and empowered in town meetTngs to be called 
for that purpose, to determine and define the limits of school 
districts within their towns and districts." 

At that time convenience and usage had already set up the 
following school districts in Dedham : in the First Parish, five 
districts, the First Middle, the Second Middle, East Street, 
Mill School and Low Plain ; in the Second Parish, two districts, 
the North District and the South District ; in the Third Parish, 
four districts, the Central District, the South District, Walpole 
Corner, the East District, Clapboard trees, and the North Dis- 
trict, Westfield ; in the Fourth Parish only one school was 
mentioned. Thus the town had twelve schools. How many 
scholars attended each we cannot state ; but it is evident that 
the school houses were well filled. In 1766 the school in the 
Second Parish contained upwards of ninety scholars ; and 
doubtless the First Parish School near the Meeting House, was 
divided into First Middle and Second Middle, because of the 
large number of scholars. 

In 1 789-1)0 East Street had Ira Draper in charge of its 
school. He was the son of Abijah and Alice (Eaton) Draper, 
born Dec. 29, 1764; admitted to the Church Feb. 4, 1787, and 
married to Lydia Hichards of Dover [Pub. April 19th, 1786]. 
Col. William Franklin Draper, his grandson, was Representa- 
tive in Congress, for the Eleventh ISIass. District. 

Sarah Glover taught the North School or Westfield, Third 
Parish, in 1790. This record may be hers : " Sarah, daughter 
of Henry & Hannah Glover, born Jan. 13, 1763." 

Eleazer Wight is found teaching the East District of the 
Third Parish, 1791-2, and 1792-3. He is on record as teach- 
ing somewhere in the First Parish in 1776. The following 
doubtless also refers to him : — "Married March 30, 1796, 
Eleazar Wight & Joa Wight, both of Dedham," by Rev. Mr. 
Haven. 

Hannah Richards was mistress of the East District of the 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 87 

Third Parish in 1792. Among the marriages is this : — " May 
19, 1794, Oliver Gay to Hannah Richards," both of Dedham. 

Jonathan Richards was master in the First Parish, West 
School (Upper Village), 1791-2. Whether this Avas Deacon 
Richards or another we cannot determine. If it was the deacon , 
he "merged" his honeymoon in school-keeping; as he married 
Sarah Avery on the 4th of January, 1791. 

Elijah Dunbar was master of the East School of the Third 
Parish, 1791-2. He graduated from Harvard College in 1794, 
being a native of Canton, Mass. ; was a tutor in Williams Col- 
lege, 1794-6 ; and the pastor of Peterboro, N. H., from 1799 
till 1827. He lived till 1850. 

Isaac Colburn, having been a teacher in Northboro from 
Dec. 31, 1788, till March 24, 1789, began to teach in Dedham, 
Dec. 21, 1789, and probably, was engaged every winter till 
March 20, 1797. He was the son of Isaac and Hepzibah 
(Pond) Colburn, born in West Dedham, August 8, 1766, and 
died May 10, 1845. He married 1st, Elizabeth Dexter of 
Marlboro; 2dly, Mary Hams of Needham, Nov. 17,1817. 
See Dedham Historical Register, Vol. II., page 112 and III., 
page 143. He was the father of 15 children, several of whom, 
including one pair of twins, lived to be over ninety years of 
age. There is to be seen a photograph of the twelve children 
of his first wife in a group, taken when the youngest was 
55 years of age and the oldest 75. His youngest son, Dana 
Pond Colburn, was the author of an arithmetic, and at the 
time of his death, Dec. 15, 1859, was principal of the Rhode 
Island State Normal School. 

In the winter of 1792-3, Joshua Whiting was master in 
East Street. He was the son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Pond) 
Whiting, born Feb. 21, 1758. He appears to have married 
Mary Ellis, March 16, 1783. Died May 7, 1842, aged 84 
years. 

The South School of the Second Parish was under the in- 
struction of Francis Dean two winters, 1792-3 and 1794-5. If 



88 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

we interpret, or rather apply the records correctly, he was the 
son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Balch) Dean, and the grandson 
of the Rev. Thomas Balch, minister at South Dedham. He 
was born Feb. 10, 1766, and was married to Hannah Morse of 
Canton, July 22, 1799. 

Beginning in the summer of 1792, Anna Smith taught in 
the Middle District of the First Parish five successive summers. 
She was the daughter of William and Margaret Smith, born 
Oct. 6, 1769. On April 6, 1797, Mr. Haven joined her in 
marriage to Thaddeus Mason, with whom she lived over 30 
years, dying June 26, 1828. 

In 1792 the school money was proportioned as follows : 
to the First Precinct £28. 19s. 5d. ; to the Second £28. 16s. 
7 l-2d. ; to the Third £28. 3s. 11 l-2d. : Total £86. 

In 1792--3 we find Abner Ellis teaching in the Third Parish, 
North District. This was Col. Abner Ellis, Jr., who repre- 
sented the town in the Legislature five years. The following 
are his records : — "Abner, son of Abner and Meletiah Ellis, 
born January 4th, 1770." " Married by the Rev. Thomas 
Thatcher, Decemr 18, [1793], Abner Ellis to Mary Gay." 
"Abner Ellis died Dec. 14, 1844, aged 75 years." 

Abijah Dra[)er, Brow^n Universit}^ 1797, taught the Low 
Plain children in the winter of 1792-3, and those of the Centre 
School, First Parish, in 1797-8 and 1799-1800. This was Dr. 
Draper, son uf Maj. Abijah whose name is on the Pitt Monu- 
ment in Dedham Village. Dr. Draper lived and died in Rox- 
bury. He was a good classical scholar, and after he was settled 
in his profession often taught young men in preparation for 
college. It is said that he was accustomed to hear them recite 
their Caesar without taking a book into his hands, being so 
familiar with that author that he could detect any mistake 
without seeing the text. 

Jesse Draper was schoolmaster in the east division of the 
Third Parish in 1793-4. We suppose the following records 
apply to him: — "Jesse, son of Joseph and Hannah Draper, 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETrS 89 

born Feb. 26th, 1771." " Nov. 15, 1772. Baptized a child 
of Joseph Draper named Jesse." [South Ch. Records.] " May 
25, 1797. [Married] by Rev. Benjamin Caryl. Jesse Draper 
of Dedhara, Lois Draper of Dover." 

The First Middle School of the First Parish, was under the 
care of Rev. William Montague three winters, 1793-4, ' 4-5, ' 5-6. 
He was born in South Hadley, Mass., Sept. 23, 1757, the son of 
Joseph and Sarah (Henry) Montague ; graduated at Dartmouth 
College, ] 784 ; was Rector of Christ Church, Boston, 1787-92 ; 
of Christ Church, Quincy, 1793-99 ; then of St. Paul's, Ded- 
ham, till 1818. He taught a school in Dorchester in 1800, 
having as his assistant, Lawrence Sprague, son of Dr. John 
Sprague of Dedham. He is said to have excelled as a teacher of 
mathematics. He was ordained by Bishop Seabury of Connecti- 
cut, and being in London, England, in 1790, he was the first 
minister who had been ordained in America, to occupy a pulpit 
of the English Church. He died in Dedham, July 22, 1833. 

In the Third Parish, South District (now the Union 
School) , Benjamin Fairbanks was the teacher for the winter of 
1793-4. We suppose him to be the son of Benjamin and Mary 
Fairbanks, born Feb. 18, 1769. Also we find that Benjamin 
Fairbanks, Jr., was married to Miss Hannah Dean of Dedham, 
by the Rev. Jabez Chickering, Jan. 21, 1790. This concise 
history, which we hope will prove correct, is all we can write 
of this first teacher at Walpole Corner. 

The same winter, 1793-4, Deacon Joseph Swan taught the 
young ideas to shoot in the Low Plain School. He was the son 
of Joseph and Mary (Hunting) Swan, born about 1772. 
Joseph Swan, Jr., married Nancy Fales, Dec. 25, 1794. 
Deacon Swan died Nov. 13, 1798. His daughter Adeline mar- 
ried Mr. Leonard Alden, who for many years occupied the 
Deacon Swan estate at Low Plain, or Readville. 

Dr. Paul Dean was a teacher in the Centre School of the 
First Parish in 1794. He was the son of Ebenezer and probably 
Abigail (Fales) Dean ; received his medical degree from Har- 



90 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

vard College, 1813 ; died unmarried at St. Stephens, Alabama, 
July 11, 1831, aged 70. 

Peter Thacher taus^ht in the East District of the Third 
Parish, 1794-5, and 1795-6. He was the son of Rev. Peter 
Thacher of Attleboro, born Oct. 21, 1753, who spent most of 
life in his native toAvn as a farmer : married Nanna, daughter 
of Capt. John Tyler, and died December 4, 1814. 

Moses Gay, Jr., was a teacher for several winters ; first in 
the Walpole Corner School from 1794 to 1798; then in the 
Clapboard trees District in 1802-3. This may be his record : 
" Novemr 26, [1801] Moses Gay, junr. to Mehitable Holmes, 
both of Dedham." 

George Feachem is named as the teacher in theEast School, 
Third Parish, for 1796-7. We can addnothing to this record. 

Cynthia Whiting had the summer school of the Middle 
District, Third Parish, 1797. The following appears to be her 
record: "Jan. 24, 1799. Mr. Frederick Richards of Ded- 
ham, Miss Cynthia AVhiting of Xeedham, by Stephen Palmer, 
Pastor of the First Church in Needham." 

Two winters, 1797-8 and 1798-9, Jesse Peck was em- 
ployed in the East Street school. 

Dea. Abram Capen of Stoughton taught at Low Plain 
about 1798. When over ninety years of age, he showed me 
samples of ornamental writing which he executed in the little 
schoolhouse at Low Plain as copy for his pupils ; it was unique 
and beautiful. 

Abigail Draper taught in the same school 1798-9 and 1800 : 
supposed to be the daughter of John, Jr., and Abigail Draper, 
born May 2, 1765. 

Geo. Whitefield Adams of Medlield was in charge of the 
Middle School, First Parish, three winters at least, 1798-9, 
1799-1800, and 1804-5. He was the son of Thomas and Sarah 
(Harris) Adams, and half brother of Hannah Adams, the 
distinguished authoress. He married Polly Drowne 1793, and 
died in Savannah, Georgia, in 1820. 



or DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 91 

Elizabeth Gould, commonly called " Betsey Gould," began 
to teach in Dcdham Village in 1799, and according to the testi- 
mony of one of her pupils continued the work for eight years 
or more. Of course she was an acceptable teacher. She was 
married May 13, 1813 to Mr. Benjamin Simmons of Dorches- 
ter. It is said that she lived more than ninety years. 

During the first half of the nineteenth century the spelling 
school was for the young people one of the most popular winter 
entertainments. It combined utility with not a little amuse- 
ment ; and all the boys and girls were eager to attend it. The 
hours were generally from seven to nine in the evening, unless 
a later hour of dismission was rendered necessary by ths diffi- 
culty of spelling down the contestants. Choosing sides was 
the most prominent feature of this school. The privilege of 
choosing Avas usually given to the two pupils who first volun- 
teered for that important office. After casting lots for the first 
choice, they chose alternately those Avhom they judged to be 
the best spellers until all were chosen ; and as fast as these 
were chosen, they took their places on opposite sides of the 
the schoolroom, this being facilitated by the usual arrangement 
of the boys' and girls' seats. Then one on each side was ap- 
pointed to keep the tally ; after which the master put out the 
words from the spelling book, the first to the one who had the 
first choice, and then alternately from side to side in order. 
No one was allowed to try a word the second time. If a word 
was missed on both sides, and finally spelled correctly on t"he 
side where it was first missed, it was said to be saved, and was 
not counted in the tally. After spelling about an hour, the 
tally was reported, and the side having the fewest failures was 
declared victor. Then, after a short recess, they returned to 
their places and stood up to spell. The hardest Avords from 
the dictionary or any other source, provided they were Eng- 
lish, were now given out; and those who missed took their 
seats till all were "spelled down." This was the usual mode 
of procedure ; and was never much varied, except occasionally 



92 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEKS 

a dialogue or declamation was introduced for variety. But the 
spelling school, pure and simple, was always sufficiently inter- 
esting ; and its effects were highly beneficial to the community. 

Mary Bullard, who was Mrs. Joseph Howe, after Aug. 26, 
1800, had charge of the Middle School, First Parish, 1798 and 
1799. She was the daughter of Dea. Isaac and Patience 
(Baker) Bullard, and was born Nov. 30, 1767. 

Daniel Leeds in 1799-1800, was master of the Village 
School about six weeks. This was Daniel Leeds, Jr., son of 
Daniel and Abigail (Gore) Leeds of Dorchester, born May 7, 
1764. His father was a schoolmaster, and I do not learn that 
the son had any other business. He taught at Dorchester 
Lower Mills in 1802, and some years following ; died unmar- 
ried at the house of his brother in School Street, Boston, 
August 19, 1811. 

He was succeeded by Phillips Clark of Medfield, who also 
taught six weeks ; afterwards he taught in many other places, 
and was again teaching in Dedham in 1808-9. He was the son 
of Solomon and Jane (Phillips) Clark, born 1761, and died in 
Med way unmarried. 

A new schoolhouse was built in Dedham Villajje in 1801. 
It was a brick structure of two stories, standing on the site of 
the original school and Avatch house, and cost $1540 ; for which 
payment was made to Israel Fairbanks, Jr. 

The first master in the new schoolhouse in 1800-1, was 
John Whitney, who graduated at Dartmouth College in 1797. 
He was the son of Ezra and Mercy (Morse) Whitney of Doug- 
las, Mass. Afflicted with mental disease he became a 
" wanderer," and is supposed to have died in Georgetown, Ky., 
Feb., 1824. 

Horace, the son of Eliphalet and Meletiah Fales, was born 
July 18, 1782, and was master of the East Street School in the 
winter of 1800-1. 

Seth Gay, Jr., the son of Seth and Elizabeth (Richards) 
Gay, was master of the LTpper A^illage School two winters, 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 93 

1801-2 and 1802-3. He was born Aug. 10, 1780, and died 
July 25, 1859. 

The following winter, 1803-4, Samuel Lowder, Jr. taught 
the same scliool. He graduated at Harvard in 1805, and lived 
till 1832. 

March 24, 1803, Jabez Chickering, Jr., son of the Rev. 
Jabez Chickering of South Dedham, received sixty-three dol- 
lars for teaching the East Street School. He graduated at 
Harvard College in 1804, and married Miss Deborah D. F. 
Alley ne of Dedham, July 3, 1805. 

Calvin Ellis taught the P^ast School of the Third Parish in 
1803-4. In Dedham Records, p. 115, we read: "Calvin, 
son of Beulah Ellis, born June 21, 1772." We suppose this 
to be the School Master, finding no other record. 

In the central district of the Third Parish, Nathan Armsby 
began to teach in 1803, and continued five winters, and per- 
haps six. What other good works he did we are unable to 
declare. 

For two summers, 1803 and 1804, Miss Miriam Wight, 
daughter of Joseph Wight, was in charge of the Second Middle 
School. On the 18th of December, 1805, she was joined in 
marriage to Capt. Asa Newell of Natick. It is said that they 
removed to New Hampshire. 

Alpheus Baker was master of the First Middle School two 
winters, probably 1802-3 and 1803-4. He was the son of 
Sherebiahand Clotilda (Daniels) Baker, born at Athol, Mass., 
Nov. 3, 1780, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1801. 
After teaching in Dedham he went to Alabama, and was very 
successful as a teacher, and acquiring means he bought a plan- 
tation, to which he retired. He died in Columbus, Ga., Dec. 
20, 1857. 

In the winter of 1801-2, Dr. George Gould of Roxbury 
had charge of the Village School. He was the son of Major 
George and Rachel (Dwight) Gould of Sutton, Mass., where 
probably the Doctor was born. I have heard aged persons 



94 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

speak of the Goulds, Samuel, Betsey and George, as famous 
teachers, whose services were in hio;h esteem. With less 
severity than many of that day employed, their discipline was 
strict and their schools orderly. 

Mr. Edward Roberts was Master of the Mill School two 
months in 1804. The followintj is found among the Intentions 
of Marriage in the Dedham Records : Mr. Edward Roberts 
and Miss Nancy AVhiting, both of Dedham, April 29, 1809. 
Mrs. Roberts died Oct. 24, 1826, and on her tombstone is the 
following : — 

Accept, blest shade 
This last Sad tribute of Surviving love. E. R. 

Betsey Metcalf of Providence, R. L, was mistress in the 
same school 12 weeks in 1804. She became Mrs. Obed Baker 
in 1807. Her fame connected with the manufacture of Leghorn 
bonnets need not be recounted here. Her portrait graces the 
walls of the Dedham Historical Society ; her name and her 
family will not soon be forgotten in West Dedham, where she 
spent a long and useful life. In 1817 she organized in her 
own house the first Sunday School in the Town of Dedham. 

In 1804-5 the First Middle School had as its master, James 
Flint, who was bora in Reading, Dec. 10, 1781, and had 
graduated at Harvard in 1802. Having studied theology with 
Dr. Bates of Dedham, he was minister in East Bridgewatcr 14 
years, from Oct. 29, 1806 ; then settled in Salem, Sept. 20, 
1821. He published many sermons and some poetry ; received 
the degree of S. T. D. in 1825 : and died March 4, 1855 at the 
age of 75. 

Nabby or Abigail Baker taught in Clapboardtrees six con- 
secutive summers and one winter, 1809-10, beginning in 1804. 
She was the daughter of Daniel and Mary Baker born Sept. 3, 
1775. 

Poll V Newell of Stockbridsre was mistress of the East School 
of the Third Parish in the summer of 1804, and of the Central 



or DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 95 

School of the same Parish in 1806. She was married to Capt. 
Abner Ellis, April 21, 1807. 

John Wickliffe Adams, half brother of the famous 
authoress, Hannah Adams, was master in Clapboardtress 1804-5 
and 1805-6. "He taught school in several of the surrounding 
towns about that time. He died in 1870 aged 97." 

Thomas Whiting, the eldest son of Calvin and Elizabeth 
(Fuller) Whiting, was paid in March, 1805, for teaching five 
weeks in the Second Middle School. He was subsequently a 
merchant in Boston, finally went to engage in trade in New 
Orleans, La., was very successful, became interested in a cotton 
plantation, and died of the yellow fever in 1828 at the age of 
forty-two years. 

Beginning in 1806-7 Clapboard trees, a name hereafter limi- 
ted to the East District of the Third Parish, profited by the in- 
struction of Richard Ellis, Esq., seven consecutive winters, 
and then again in 1820-21. This marriage record exists: 
" Jan 7, 1813. Mr. Richard Ellis & Miss Abigail Ellis Dean, 
both of Dedham" (Ch. Rec. of First Parish.) Mr. Ellis was 
for man}^ years the Town Clerk of Dedham, and two of his 
grandchildren have held prominent positions as teachers in 
Boston Schools. 

It would be interesting to see a complete account of what 
was done in the winter schools of this period. They often 
contained a few highly gifted pupils who were far in advance 
of their schoolmates, and were alloAved to enter upon higher 
branches of study. A class in surveying was sometimes 
formed, and in many of the New England towns land was 
measured and boundaries were established, by men who learned 
to use the compass and the chain, and to calculate areas, from 
the teachers of the winter schools. Pike's Arithmetic furnished 
to those who were fond of mathematics a long course of study, 
almost equivalent to that pursued in the Colleges. I have by 
me a copy of " Blair's Lectures on Rhetoric" which was used 
as a school-book in Dedham as early as the year 1810. AYhen- 



96 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

ever a master was found to be gifted, or well equipped with 
learning, the more ambitious young men and women took ad- 
vantage of their opportunities and formed a class in some new 
kind of mental culture. In this way the influence and useful- 
ness of the instructor were increased, his power was made to 
produce its noblest fruits, and the community realized more 
fully " that the Schoolmaster was abroad." 

William Learned Marcy graduated at Brown University in 
1808, and while a member of college spent one winter in Ded- 
ham as teacher of the first Middle School. His honorable politi- 
cal career as Governor of New York, United States Senator, 
Secretary of War, and of State, is so well known as to make it 
unnecessary to dwell upon it here. He was born in South- 
bridge, Mass., Dec. 12, 1786. He was an officer in the war of 
1812, and is said to have captured the first prisoners and the 
first flag taken from the British on land in that war. He died 
at Ballston Spa, N. Y., July 4, 1857. The highest mountain 
in the State of New York bears his name and will justly per- 
petuate his memory. 

Benjamin James, who graduated at Brown University in 
1805, taught in Dedham soon afterwards, probably in 1807. 
He became a chemist and physician in Boston ; and one of his 
pupils informed me that his eyesight was seriously injured, if 
not destroyed, in a chemical experiment. 

Sall}^ Baker was the mistress of West Dedham in the sum- 
mer of 1805. She was the youngest daughter of Eliphalet and 
Elizabeth (Fisher) Baker, born January 23, 1776, and died un- 
married in 1850. 

Gardner Daggett, Brown Univ. 1802, was master of the 
First Middle School in 1806-7. He subsequently practised law 
in Providence, K. I., and was prominent in the military service 
of that State. 

David Bates, H. C. 1807, and A. M., was Mr. Daggett's 
contemporary in the Second Middle District. He was the son 
of Zealous and Abio^ail Bates of Cohasset, Mass., and the 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 97 

brother of the Rev Dr. Joshua Bates of Dedham ; born Sept. 
12, 1784, and died in Westboro, Feb. 9, 1869. 

Jolin Howe of Roxbury was a teacher in some part of Ded- 
ham, about the year 1806. His name was given to me by one 
who attended his school, I think, in the first Middle District. 
He punished small boys by piling them under his desk, where 
they learned to keep still for a while, so long at least as they 
were used as the master's footstool. Mothers finally objected 
to this use of their children. 

Celia Baker, in the summer of 1807, taught in AVest Ded- 
ham. She was the daughter of Joseph and Monica, born Feb. 
20, 1787; married Ellis Colburn, Dec. 25, 1810, and died 
Jan. 8, 1854. 

Nahum Harrington, of Brown University 1807, was in 
charge of the First Middle School two winters, 1807-8 and 
1808-9. He studied law and settled in Westborough, Mass., 
which he represented in the legislature in 1832. He married 
Mary Fairbanks of Dedham, Jan. 4, 1816. His son was for 
many years Superintendent of Schools in the city of New 
Bedford. 

Willard Ellis taught the Mill School eight weeks in 1807-8. 
Money was drawn from the town treasury for twenty scholars. 
Wages $14 per month ; board $1.86 per week. He was the 
son of William and Olive, born June 12, 1785, and was mar- 
ried to Mary Morse of Dedham, July 1, 1810, by Rev. Thomas 
Thacher. 

The following summer the Mill School was managed still 
more economically. Miss Lucretia Whiting taught nine weeks 
for nine dollars ; and Hezekiah Whiting boarded her for one 
dollar per week ; but in November of the same year. Rev. 
Joshua Bates joined Lucretia Whiting in marriage to Mr. 
Lemuel Babcock, Jr., of Milton. She was the daughter of 
Abner and Loacada Whiting, born Jan. 10, 1787. 

About 1809 James B. Dorrance, Brown Univ. 1809, for 



98 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

a fe^Y weeks only, taught the First Middle School. Afterwards 
he was a well-known capitalist in Providence, R. I. 

He was succeeded by Titus Strong, who had been a writer 
in the office of Horatio Townsend, Esq., Clerk of Courts. He 
was a tine elocutionist and interested his school in speaking and 
composition. For a time he edited the Norfolk Repository. 
Finding some church books in Mr. Townsend's office he was 
induced by their perusal to study for the ministry, and was 
ordained deacon in 1814, and in 1815 became the Rector of St. 
James's Church, Greenfield, Mass. He taught several terms, 
one as late as 1813-14. Among the Intentions of Marriage in 
Dedham is the following : " Mr. Titus Strong and Miss Han- 
nah Dwight, both of Dedham, June 24, 1808." Dr. Strong 
ranked hi oh among the clergv of the Diocese of ^Massachusetts, 
and by his numerous publications was widely influential. 

We find Edward Rawson teachino' the West Dedham 
School 1809-10 : but we are unable to give any facts of his 
antecedent or subsequent history, except that he probabh' died 
at Woonsocket, R. I., June, 1833. 

Ansel French taught the Mill School fourteen weeks, 
1809-10. I find his name nowhere else in Dedham records, or 
any other. 

Jeremy F. Tolman closed his school in the mill district 
Jan. 31, 1809, probably a two months term. He was the son 
of Capt. John and Elizabeth (Fisher) Tolman, born in Need- 
ham Dec. 17, 1784; married Elizabeth Leland Oct. 25, 1814; 
commenced preaching in Dana, Mass., 1814: at Templeton, 
1816 ; refused ordination, preferring pioneer life in the wilds 
of New York ; settled at Jumin, N. Y., where he was ordained 
April, 1819 ; was for many years pastor of a Baptist Church 
in Sandwich, Illinois, and died there March 24, 1872. "His 
distiniruishing characteristic was Faithfulness." 

Rhoda Whiting instructed the Mill School three sunmiers, 
1809, 1811, and 1813. Of her we only know that she was 
the daughter of Rufus and Elizabeth, born Nov. 13, 1787. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 99 

Hannah Tyler of Attleborough came to Dedham to teach 
in the 2d Middle District in 1808. She married Gen. Nathaniel 
Guild June 10, 1810, and spent the remainder of her days in 
Dedham. 

The next summer, 1809, the Second Middle School was 
taught by Chloe Morse, the sister of Rev. Abner Morse, the 
genealogist, and the aunt of the Hon. Elijah Adams Morse, 
a recent Representative in Congress. 

In 1809 Sybil Mudge was school mistress in the Second 
Middle, or Upper Village district. She Avas the daughter of 
Joseph and Lois (Pratt) Mudge of Wrentham, born Feb. 1, 
1787 ; taught schools in Needham and Westminster, Mass., 
and in Winchester, N. H. ; married Col. Alvin B. Doolittle of 
Winchester; died there Nov. 8, 1836. 

Abigail Ellis Dean taught schools in Dedham from 1810 
to 1813. She was the daughter of Phineas Ellis and Jerusha 
(White) Dean, born in Dedham, April 25, 1789. She was 
educated at Day's Acadeni}'-, Wrentham ; married Richard 
Ellis, of Dedham, Jan. 7, 1813, and died in Canton, Mass., 
Dec. 2(3, 1889. She is the only centenarian among the Ded- 
ham teachers. 

Harriot Wilson taught the Mill School three summers, 
1810, 1812, and 1817. The first summer she received pre- 
cisely $1.45 a week. We hope they made it $1.50 afterwards. 

Joseph Onion began to teach school in the Second Middle 
district in 1810. He had charge of the Clapboardtrees School 
in 1814 and 1815, and of the Westfield School in 1820-1, 
1825-6 and 1826-7. He was born July 3, 1786, married 
Phelinda Bills, Dec. 25, 1816. He was a descendant of Rob- 
ert Onion, one of the early settlers of Dedham, and always re- 
sided in this town, where he died Feb. 15, 1866, leaving five 
children. 

Daniel Armsby was schoolmaster two winters in West 
Dedham, 1810-11, and 1811-12. Other facts relating to him 
have been sought in vain. 



'OJOl 



100 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Mrs. Hannah Richards, summer of 1811, was teaching in 
West Dedham. She was the wife of Moses Richards ; died in 
1827, aged 42. 

A Mr. Gould was the teacher of the Mill School three 
months, 1810-11 ; but nothing more definite is found. 

The Clapboardtrees School had two teachers in the sum- 
mer of 1811, Roxa and Mary Whiting. The first was the 
daughter of Abner and Loacada, born Jan. 29, 1789, and 
married Capt. Aaron Bakci', Nov. 4, 1812. She died Feb. 29, 
1852, at the age of 63. The second was the daughter of Paul 
and Mary, born Oct. 18, 1793. Other facts concerning her 
are wanting. 

Thaddeus Whiting, whose history, previous or subsequent, 
we have not been able to trace, taught the Westfield School in 
the winter of 1811-12. 

Fanny Bacon taught in West Dedham, 1812. 

The winter schools in South Dedham were instructed in 
1810-11 and 1813-14, by Mr. Jesse Pierce, soon after known 
as Colonel Pierce, of Stoughton, the son of Jesse and Catherine 
(Smith) Pierce of that town, born Nov. 7, 1788. Being a 
diligent student he had acquired a good education in the com- 
mon schools of Stoughton, and after some success in teaching, 
he added to his qualifications by a short course of study in the 
Taunton Academy under the tuition of the Rev. Simeon Dog- 
gett, a graduate of Brown University in 1788. He first taught 
school in Stoughton, then alternating, probably, with those in 
Dedham, and arranging his terms accordingly ; and afterwards 
taught the West School of Milton three years, and the school 
on Milton Hill two years. In 1816 he was commissioned 
Colonel of the Second Regiment, Second Brigade and First 
Division of the Massachusetts Militia. In 1819 he opened a 
private school in Milton, on the Bay Road near the Lower 
Mills Village, which continued five years and was attended by 
many who became well known citizens. In 1824 he married 
Miss Eliza S. Lillie, of Milton, and removed to Stoughton. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETPS 101 

He immediately opened a private school for boys at his own 
house, which he continued till 1829, when he finally relinquished 
teaching, and gave his attention to his farm, and such miscellane- 
ous work as conveyancing and the settlement of estates. He 
represented Stoughton in the legislature six years, and was 
active in the debate of many important questions. He removed 
from Stoughton in 1849 to the Lower Mills Village in Dor- 
chester, where he spent the remainder of his life, occupyino" the 
house which was in 1890 the residence of his eldest son, the 
Hon. Henry L. Pierce. He died Feb. 3, 1856, and an obituary 
of him justly says : " He was for many years a distinguished 
teacher, and numbers among his pupils many men who now 
occupy prominent positions in public life. He was a man of 
strict integrity, high-minded and honorable, and universally 
beloved and respected in all the various relations of life." Col. 
Pierce left two sons: the Hon. Henry Lillie Pierce, best 
known, perhaps, as a former mayor of Boston ; and the Hon. 
Edward Lillie Pierce, whose Life of Charles Sumner is a work 
of rare excellence. 

Hannah Ferry, said to be of Milton, was the teacher of 
the Second Middle School nineteen and two thirds weeks in the 
summer of 1813, at seven and six pence (11.25) per week. 
This, with board, was the customary price for female teachers 
at that day. 

Rufus Mills, of Needhatu, began to teach in the Westfield 
District 1812-13, and continued in the Mill School, 1813-14 
and 1815-16. He was the son of Samuel and Esther (Kings- 
bury) Mills, born May 10, 1792. He married in 1821, Sarah 
Eames, daughter of Rev. Stephen Palmer. He learned the 
printer's art in the office of the Dedham Gazette, when Judge 
Metcalf was its editor. The Needham Chronicle of July 27, 
1878, says: "In some respects he was a remarkable man, 
well preserved, companionable and courteous. And although 
the snows of four score years and ten had passed over his head, 
yet from his erect carriage and active movements, as he passed 



102 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

L 

throuo'h our streets less than a year aijo, it was hard to convince 
■one unac(juainted with him, tliat lie was more than sixty, so 
remarkably did he bear his age." He died in July, 1878. 

Dr. Dan forth Phipjos Wi<>ht began to teach in Westfield 
District in 1813, and had charge of the Second Middle School in 
1817-18. He was the son of Rev. Ebcnezer Wight, born Feb. 8, 
171)2, graduated at Harvard 1815, began the practice of medi- 
cine in Barnstable, Mass., and returned to Dedham in 1842, 
where he died June 8, 1874. He was deeply interested in his- 
tory and genealogy, and published an account of the Wight 
Pamil}^ in 1848. At his suggestion, John Langdon Sibley 
undertook the work which resulted in his " Harvard Graduates." 
Dr. Wight was also active in the cause of education, and 
rendered <2,ood service in the establishment of the Hio-h School 
in Dedham. He was president of the Dedham Hist. Soc. 
18G5-()8, and was the author of many interesting papers which 
he read at its meetings. ]VIuch more might be said of his virtues 
and his work. 

Shiiih Battle, so his name appears in the onl}^ record I find, 
was master in the same school 1812-13. 

The Mill School was taught by Luther Paul in the winter of 
1812-lo. He was the son of Ebcnezer and Abigail, born in 
Dedham July 5, 1793, and became a resident in Newton, where 
he spent his days in agricultural pursuits. 

The teacher in Westfield District, 1812, was Abigail Bul- 
lard, of whom we are able to give no very definite information. 
She was probably a sister of Willard Bullard, and a native of 
the district. 

About 1813, John R. Cotting taught the Second Middle 
School, and afterwards became a lay reader in the Protestant 
Episcopal Church. His father at that time lived on the spot 
where Mrs. Albert Hale's house now stands, 1904. 

Eliza Newell was evidently an excellent teacher, as she 
was entrusted with the care of the West Dedham children five 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 103 

long summers of 20 or more weeks in 1813, '14, '15, '16 and 
'17. She also taught the winter school of 1815-10. 

Abigail Bigelow taught the Summer School in Westfield 
District, 1813. 

Pliny Whitney taught at West Dedham in the winter of 
1813-14. He was the son of Samuel and Thankful (Wilder) 
Whitney, born Nov. 13, 1787 ; married Caroline Dean at Mt. 
Vernon, N. H., Oct. 23, 1823, and resided at Milford, N. H. 

Before 1800 Private Schools began to be maintained in 
Dedham village. The following obituary notice refers to one 
who was instrumental in giving such schools their good reputa- 
tions : "1814. Feb. 3. Died Mrs. Elizabeth Cranch, yE. 
60. for many years an eminent teacher of a Young Ladies' 
Academy." 

Capt. Elijah Tucker of Milton made a good record as a 
teacher in Dedham. He began at Low Plain in 1814, con- 
tinued in the Clapboardtrees, 1816-17, 1818-19; in East 
Street, 1826-7 ; again in Clapboardtrees, 1827-8 and 1828-9. 
He lived to be over ninety years of age. 

Justin W. Clark and Avery Rawson carried through the 
winter school in West Dedham, 1814-15 ; the former six, and 
the latter ten weeks. Of neither can we give any further 
information. 

We find Deborah Dean teaching the Clapboardtrees School 
in 1814. We suppose she was the daughter of Samuel H. and 
Deborah, born Jan. 20, 1790 ; and that she married Samuel A. 
Gerould of Keene, N. H., May 3, 1820. Such is the record 
of Rev. William Cogswell. 

Joanna Whiting was mistress in the Mill School, 1814. 

Samuel Fairbanks Avas master there, 1814-15. He may 
have been from Newton ; and if so, was probably married by 
Mr. Cogswell to Miss Hannah Jackson, April 16, 1818. 

if mistakes are made in respect to the teachers of this 
period, it will not be because the records are over-abundant. 



104 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

As the aged persons who could give trustworthy information 
died several years ago, the reader must not be too exacting. 

Miss Sarah Hannah Boies Alleyne was a teacher in the 
Second Middle School for a short term in 1814. She was the 
daughter of Abel and Anna (Chase) Alleyne, born in Milton, 
Mass. ; was educated in Dedham schools, and married Mr. 
Frederick Beck, a merchant of Boston, Jan. 2, 1816 ; went to 
reside at 68 Warrenton Street, and there lived till she died at 
the age of seventy years and was buried in Forest Hills 
Cemetery. 

Colburn Ellis was teaching in Westfield District in 1814- 
15 and 1818-19, and afterwards in the Low Plain district. He 
was the son of George and Mary (Gay) Ellis, born Feb. 6, 
1792, and married^ Lucy Ellis, of Walpole, March 11, 1815; 
spent his life in West Dedham, and held many town offices. 
He died June 15, 1864. 

In 1818 the Second Middle School was in charge of 
Lucinda Alden, daughter of Paul and Rebecca Alden. She 
married Sauveur Francis Bonfils, of Newport, R. I., June 20, 
1819. Miss Alden had taught in the Westfield School in 1814 ; 
and in the First Middle in 1817. 

In the summer of 1815 the mistress of the Westfield School 
was Nancy Dana of Watertown. In the year 1827 she be- 
came the wife of John Burrage, Jr., of Quincy. 

Samuel M. Worcester, D. D., of Salem, while a member of 
Harvard College, from which he graduated in 1822, taught the 
Centre School one winter. I write this on the authority of the 
late Miss Elizabeth Skillings, who attended his school. He was 
a tutor and professor in Amherst College, and Pastor of the 
Tabernacle Church in Salem, Mass.-, from 1834 to 1860. He 
died in Salem, Aug. 16, 1866. 

Abigail Prentice, the daughter of the Rev. Thomas Pren- 
tice of Medfield, taught the West Dedham School in 1815, and 
the Second Middle School in the summer of 1819. She was 
united in marriage to Capt Jeremiah Baker of West Dedham, 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 105 

June 2, 1822, as his third wife. Mrs. Baker died Oct. 31, 
1848, aged 57 years. 

Fanny Baker was paid for teaching nine weeks in West 
Dedham, 1815. 

Rev. Seth Chapin was born in Meriden, in 1796; 
graduated at Brown University in 1808 ; settled in the ministry 
at Hillsborough, N. H., Jan. 1, 1812. He resigned June 26, 
1816, and turned his attention to teaching. For three winters 
he was employed in the Mill School, according to the record, 
"seventy-one days at seventy-one dollars." Afterwards he was 
a pastor in Hanover, Mass., then in New York, and last in 
West Granville, Mass. He died in 1850. 

In the winter of 1816-17 the Second Middle School was 
instructed three months by Daniel Saunders BuUard of Sher- 
born. He was the youngest son of Nathaniel and Mary 
(Saunders) Bullard of Needham, graduated at Brown Univer- 
sity in 1817, and was living in Andover in 1886. 

In 1817, during the summer, a school was maintained on 
Dedham Island by the Second Middle District " According to 
a vote." The total expense of it was $25. "Of this amount 
$7.58 was paid to the teacher, $11 .75 to Josiah Smith for board ; 
$3.33 to Ez'k'l Kingsbury for room, $1.50 to James Farrington 
for wood, 84 cents for horse and chaise hire." What school- 
mistress rode in the chaise was not recorded. 

At "the time of the Great Gale of September 23, 1815, 
James Foord was teaching in the brick schoolhouse of the First 
Middle district. The windows were open, or were blown open, 
and many of the books were carried out by the wind. Thus 
runs the tradition, and we find no reason to doubt its truth. Mr. 
Foord had graduated the year before at Brown University, and 
was doubtless teaching to earn the means for continuing his 
studies. By such work in Roxbury and other towns he had 
defraj'cd the charges of his preparatory and collegiate educa- 
tion. He studied law with Judge Metcalf in Dedham, and w^ith 
Governor Morton in Taunton. In 1819 he settled in Fall River, 



106 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEKS 

and spent there the remainder of his long, useful and honored 
life. He was the son of James and Hannah (Blake) Foord of 
Milton, born Aug 3, 1784; married Dorcas Adams in 1824; 
and she dying in 1840, he married Mrs. Hannah Weaver in 
1842 ; edited the Fall River Monitor twenty-five years ; was 
mayor of Fall River, and held many other public offices, and 
continued hi.. /)rofessional labors till a few days before his death, 
which occurred July 27, 1873. 

About 1818 the East Street School was taught by Nathaniel 
Smith. He was the son of Nathaniel and Nancy (Aiers) 
Smith, born in Dedham, where he married Miss Betsey Foord 
June 14, 1821. He occupied and cultivated the farm inherited 
from his father, on which he died Nov. 1, 1861, aged 73 years, 
9 months and 9 days. He did not desire public office, but 
was sometimes elected an assessor ; he was, however, widely 
respected for his intelligence and integrity. 

Miles T. Gardner for several years, beginning about 1816, 
taught a private school in Dedham in the house now occupied 
by Mrs. Thomas L. Wakefield. It was well patronized by the 
leading citizens, but no dates of its beginnino; and ending are 
attainable. In the Dedham records we find this publishment : 
" 1838. Ap. 22. Mr. Miles T. Gardner of Dedham and Miss 
Martha Cotting of West Cambridge." 

Frank Battelle taught in Mill Village, 1816-17: and 
Emery Fisher, in West Dedham the same winter. The latter 
was born in Palmer ; married Bathsheba , of Yarmouth. 

Clapboardtrees had Mrs. Fisher Starr for school-mistress 
summer of 1816. Who was Mrs. Fisher Starr? This record of 
publishment is found : " Mr. Fisher Starr of Dedham and Miss 
Hannah Soper of Milton, Aug 26, 1814." He was the son of 
Samuel and Elizabeth, born Sept. 10, 1789. 

Also in 1816 the Mill School was taught by Mrs. Nancy 
Emery. Who was Mrs Nancy Emery? Rev. Joshua Bates 
seems to have been instrumental in determining her name. 
Here is the record : " Mr. George Emery of Dedham and Miss 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 107 

Nancy Mcintosh of Dorchester, May 8, 1816." Thus Mrs. 
Emery, in spendino: tha first summer of her married life teach- 
ing school, imitated Mrs. Richard Ellis, the centenarian ; but 
we have no proof that she lengthened her life thereby. 

Polly Richards, supposed to be the daughter of Eliakim 
and Lydia, born Aug. 27, 1778, taught Westficld three sum- 
mers, 1816, '17 and '18. But Dr. Lamson, on June 5, 1822, 
pronounced her the wife of Calvin Howe of Watertown, Mass. 

Henry Fiske, perhaps from Wrentham, instructed West 
Dedham children in the winter of 1816-17. 

About this time, we cannot fix the exact date, Loretta 
Sweet of Attleboro began to teach in Dedham, and continued 
for eight or ten years. She also taught in Providence, R. I., 
Waltham, Mass., and other places ; in all 28 years. Finally 
her nervous system became disordered, and she found a home in 
an asjdum at Worcester. During her residence there. Governor 
Banks on a visit to the institution, recognized her as his former 
teacher, gave her the credit of "starting him on the road to 
learning," and, on bidding her good-by, left ton dollars in her 
hand. 

James Hayward was master in the Second Middle Dist. 
about 1816, and Josiali Caldwell from Ipswich a little later. 
Nothing else has been ascertained concerninij them. 

In 1817 a master by the name of Smith in the Second 
Middle School was dismissed for reckless conduct in "throwing 
things " at his pupils. One bov was wounded ; and this caused 
Mr. Martin Bates, the boy's guardian, to enter the schoolroom 
and protest in the presence of the scholars. This incident was 
described to me by a member of the school after she was ninety 
years old. 

Isaac Morrill, son of Dr. Morrill of Natick, continued the 
school nine weeks to complete the winter term. 

Dolly F. Curtis had charge of the Mill School 12 weeks 
in 1820. 

Richard Greene Parker, H. C. 1817, soon after leaving 



108 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

college began to teach in the Centre School. He was the son 
of Bishop Parker and was the author of several excellent school 
text-books. His "Aids to English Composition," "Natural 
Philosophy," " Outlines of History," and " Geographical Ques- 
tions " were extensively used and passed through many editions. 
He spent most of his life as a teacher in Boston, residing several 
years in Dedham, and occupying Lilac Lodge, the estate front- 
ing the church green and opposite the Judge Haven mansion. 
Among the reminiscences of his teaching one of his pupils re- 
calls the fact that while he was absent for his nooning, some 
rogues used to borrow from his desk the letters which he had 
written to the prospective Mrs. Parker, and read them aloud to 
the company which lunched in the schoolroom. As Mr. Par- 
ker was the master of a good style, we may reasonably infer 
that many a love-letter, written afterwards in Dedham, was 
much improved by the influence of these purloined models of a 
style not discussed in "Parker's Aids to English (Jomposi- 
tion." He was born in Boston, Dec. 25, 1798 ; died in Wal- 
tham, Sept. 25, 1869. 

Horatio Gates Wheaton, a graduate of Brown University 
in 1820, taught the winter school in West Dedham, 1817-18. 
He died in 1824. 

The same winter the Mill School was in the care of Jeremiah 
Capen. 

In Clapboardtrees, 1817, the teacher was P^iizabcth Whi- 
ting, daughter of Calvin and Elizabeth of Dodham, born Nov. 
4, 1793, and married to Col. Eaton Whiting of West Dedham, 
Jan. 2, 1820. She died Jan 10, 1821, and her virtues were 
fitly portrayed in a poem by her devoted friend, the wife of 
her pastor, the Rev. John White. 

Elizabeth Alden taught the Second Middle School in the 
summer of 1817. She was the daughter of Paul and Rebecca 
(Newell) Alden, born in Newton, Oct. 14, 1798, and a descend- 
ant of John Alden, the pilgrim. Aug. '22, 1820, she married 
Amasa Hewins, who, at that time, Avas engaged in trade in 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 109 

Dedham Village. He soon removed to Boston where he became 
well known as an artist. Of their nine children seven were 
living in 1898. She died in Dedham, Oct. 1862. 

In 1817 Miss Rebecca Alden received $33 for teaching in 
the Second Middle District. She was the daughter of Paul and 
Rebecca (Newell) Alden, born in Newton, April 6, 1802, and 
was united in marriage to Moses Gragg in Dedham, Jan 6, 
1820. She died in Roxbury, Dec. 1, 18()5, leaving to mourn 
her loss, her husband and all their ten children. 

In theWestfield District Jesse Ellis was the teacher 1817-18, 
the son of Joel and Azubali, born 1790. He married Julia 
Dean, Sept. 'Hi, 1822. Their children were, tTulia D., John, 
Caroline, Alfred and Joel. 

John Parsons kept school in West Dedham three winters, 
1818 to 1821, evidently a meritorious teacher; but what other 
creditable work he did in this world we can not state. 

Julia Adams taught for 14 weeks in the same school, sum- 
mer of 1819. 

Cynthia Whiting, mistress of the Mill School in the sum- 
mer of 1818, daughter of Aaron and Hannah (Mason) Whit- 
ing, was born April 8, 1791, died Feb. 6, 1841. 

Benjamin Gay was master of the Westfield winter school, 
1818-19, '19-20 and '21-22, and Elizabeth Gay was mistress 
there, 1819 and 1820, of the summer schools. 

The primary department of the First Middle School in 1818 
and 1819 was under the care of Miss Rebecca Damon. She soon 
afterwards opened a store in Dedham Village, and in 1833 
became the second wife of Elisha Mackintosh, her sister Nancy 
succeeding her in the store. 

In the winter of 1818-19 the Second Middle School was 
taught by John Dix Fisher. He was the son of Aaron and 
Lucy (Steadman) Fisher of Needham, born March 27, 1797; 
graduated at Brown University 1820 ; took his medical degree 
at Harvard in 1825 ; continued his medical studies in Europe; 
and soon after his return conceived the idea of an institution 



110 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

for the instruction of the blind which finally re^sultcd in " The 
Perkins Institution and Massachusetts School for the Blind." 
In 1829 he published a volume on the small pox full)^ illus- 
trated. He was the physician of the Perkins Institution, and 
a trustee for twenty years from 1830 to 1850. He died in 
Boston, March 3, 1850. 

Miss Julia Lindley taught in West Dedham, in 1818 ; and 
in the Clapboardtrees School in 1825. She subsequently gave 
her attention to millinery and dressmaking. She died in West 
Dedham, March 20, 1842, aged 46. She led a useful life and 
was much respected. 

Mary Ellis was a popular teacher in West Dedham from 
1818 to 1829, teaching there seven summers. She was the 
daughter of Abner and Mary Ellis, born Feb. 20, 1800 ; and 
married Theodore Gay, 2d, in 1833. She died Dec. 13, 1882. 

Barnum Field, a graduate of Brown University in 1821, 
taught school in the South Parish two winter terms, 1819-20 
and 1820-21, according to one who was his pupil there. Mr. 
Field died in 1851. 

Marj' Dean taught in CIai)boardtrees the summer of 1818. 
We susi)ect this is her record b}' Rev. Mr. Coggswell : '' Dec. 
14, 1825. Dca. Dean Chickering to Miss Marj^ Dean, both of 
Dedham." It is possible, however, that she married ]Mr. Ellis 
Morse of Walpolc, Jul}^ 23, 1820. Her descendants must solve 
the doubt. 

The treasurer of the Mill District paid A. Capen for teach- 
ing the winter school 1818-19. Xo other account of him has 
been found. 

John Fessenden, the son of Thomas and Lucy (Lee) Fes- 
senden of Lexington, and a graduate of Harvard College, the 
first scholar in the class of 1818, was in charge of the Second 
Middle School in the winter of 1819-20. He graduated from 
the Cambridge Divinity School in 1821 ; was a tutor in Har- 
vard College, 1825-27 : and in 1830 settled in the ministry at 
Deerfield, Mass. He was united in marriage to Miss Nancy 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS HI 

Baker of Dcdham, Oct. 24, 1830, and came to reside in Ded- 
ham in 1840. About 1842 he opened ajprivate school which 
was continued several years in Dedham Village. For many 
years he was an efficient member of the School Committee, 
and an active promoter of the High School in its early days. 
He died May 11, 1881, aged 77. 

Miss Elizabeth Foord took charge of the primary depart- 
ment of the Village School in 1819, probably for two years. 
She became Mrs. Nathaniel Smith June 14, 1821, and spent 
her remaining days in Dedham, where her descendants are well 
known and esteemed. 

Rev. Jonathan Farr, H. C. 1818, was the schoolmaster in 
the Second Middle District soon after his graduation. He was 
born in Harvard Sept. 20, 1790, and died June 12, 1845. 

Amelia White spent two summers in charge of the Clap- 
boardtrees School, 1819 and 1820. 

Timothy M. Mann conducted the same school three winters, 
1819 to 1821, which proves his popularity. 

Asa Gowen taught iil the upper room of the First Middle 
School in 1819. Pie advertised for a class in penmanship from 
11 to 12 o'clock, and from 4 to 5. Whether his was a private 
school or not, I have not been able to determine. 

At this period, if we may judge from the pupil's reports, 
and certainly they ought at the age of eighty to report truly, 
there was in the Dedham schools much strictness of discipline, 
and not a little sev^erity of punishment. A lady who was a pupil 
in a summer school about 1820, says that she had a little cousin 
visiting her, and as was a common practice she took her to the 
school, and childlike they whispered to each other. For this 
offence the teacher tied them both to her chair by the thumbs 
and kept them there an hour or more. Another lady assured me 
that it was the custom of one of her teachers to hang small boys 
out of the window, making them fast by letting the sash rest 
down on their bricks heavily enough to hold them securely. The 
long and heavy ruler was by some teachers carried in the hand 



U'2 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

constantly, and so became a ready instrument of punishment 
and torture. 

But on the whole, probably, the habit of obedience acquired 
in school more than compensated for the occasional discomfort 
which the pupils suflered. It should not be forgotten that young 
persons need nuicli more restraint when surrounded by their 
mates than when they are alone. Especially are boys easily led 
by a multitude into evil ways, and then it is necessary to use 
decisive measures to save them from ruin. 

But rewards as well as punishments were used to secure 
good order and improvement in learning. The " Reward of 
Merit " and the " Medal " were thought to be valuable helps to 
the teacher. The silver quarter, half-dollar, or dollar even hung 
around the neck of the bright one that stood at the head of the 
class in spelling. It made a pleasing variety when there was a 
daily change, the one at the head to-day going to the foot to- 
morrow. Young eyes shone when rivals " got up " one or more 
on their way to the head of the class. Somebody at last dis- 
covered, or thought he did, that " getting up to the head" fos- 
tered emulation, and now we see but little rivalry in our schools. 
"Whether the cause of learninor has gained bv the chaniic is a 
debatable question. 

About 1820 Enos Foord taught a private school in Ded- 
ham. lie was the son of James and Hannah (Blake) Foord, 
born in Milton, Oct. 21, 179G. He ni;u-ried Elizabeth Daven- 
port and resided in Dedham, where he was Register of Deeds 
for Norfolk County forty years, 1821 to IS'ol, and secretary 
and treasurer of the Dedham Institution for Savings ten years, 
1834 to 1844. One brother and four sisters of Mr. Foord were 
teachers in the Dedham public schools. He was a man of decided 
opinions, and his influence in public affairs was both conserva- 
tive and progressive. All real improvements found in him an 
active supporter, mere novelities received from him little favor. 
His most useful life ended April 22, 18G1. 

Samuel Tvler of Foxboro was the teacher of the Second 



OF DEDIIAM, MASSACHUSETTS 113 

Middle School about 1820. lie was the brother of Mrs. Gen. 
Guild, which accounts for his coming to Dedhara. 

Joshua Fales of Dedham was the master of the East Street 
School in 1820-21. He married Polly Bussey, May 2G, 1812 ; 
was a captain in the war of 1812. He married Harriet Tucker 
of Milton, Aug. 4, 1822 ; was chorister in the Unitarian Church 
forty years, and deacon in the same church ; was a representa- 
tive in the Legislature six years, also for some years selectman 
and school committee. He died April 2<o, 1852. 

In the summer of 1820 the Second Middle School was 
taught ten weeks by Eliza Gay, the daughter of Thaddeus and 
Charlotte (Colburn) Gay of West Dedham. She taught the 
Mill School in 1830, the East Street School perhaps later, and 
the Second Middle again in 1836. She married Sidney Per- 
kins of Sharon, Sept. 24, 1848. She left a legacy of $500 to 
establish a library in West Dedham. 

In the winter of 1821-2 the school in West Dedham was 
taught by Elmer Brigham, the son of David Brigham of West- 
borough, born Sept. 8, 1798; he lived till March, 1871. He 
was educated at Bradford Academy. He was a Representative 
in the Massachusetts Legislature three years, a Senator one year 
or more, and a Councillor from the Worcester District in 
1855. He was a teacher in Westborough and surrounding 
towns many years, and served in various town offices. He was 
a farmer and engaged largely in the milk business, being one 
of the original members of the " Westborough Milk Company," 
one of the first in the State. He was a brother of the Rev. 
David Brigham, for many years a pastor in East Randolph. 

In 1821 Mary Ann Sturtevant of Needham taught the 
Second Middle School twelve weeks. According to the testi- 
mony of one of her pupils she was a very earnest and efficient 
teacher. She is said to have married a Mr. Shepherd of 
Wrentham. 

James Plaisted, who graduated at Brown University in 



114 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

1823, was master in the Second Middle District in 1821-2 and 
1822-3. 

In Clapboardtrees we find Irene F. Everett teaching in 1821 
and 1822. The following Publishment evidently relates to her 
later history : "Mr. Joel Ellis and Miss Irene F. Everett, both 
of Dedham, October 28, 1832. 

A Mr. Dupee taught East Street School in the winter of 
1821-2 as we learn from a Diary kept by Capt. Asahel Smith. 

Charlotte Farrington was mistress of the Mill School two 
summers 1821 and 1822. She Avas the daughter of Stephen, Jr. 
and Lucy Farrington, born ]March 12, 1798, lived single to the 
age of 80, and in her last days was kindly cared for by her niece, 
Miss Mary Hodges. " Aunt Charlotte " died in Dedham, 1878. 

Rebecca Kingsbury was mistress of AVestfield School four 
summers, 1821-2-3 and 5. She was the daughter of Nathaniel, 
Jr., and Lucy (Ellis) Kingsbury, born Feb. 13, 1801, and 
became a member of the Orthodox Church in 1828. 

About 1822 Henry Sweet Avas master of the iirst Middle 
School. He Avas a person of a delicate constitution and in a con- 
flict Avith a vicious youth Avhom he tried to corrc^ct was entirely 
disabled for three months. He subsequently settled in the 
ministrv at Palmer, Mass., and died about one year afterwards. 

Charles Fiske of Waltham Avas the master in the East 
Street School in the Avinter of 1822-3. A letter Avritten to 
Capt. Asahel Smith of the School Conmiittee shows that he AA'^as 
a fine penman and of scholarly habits. 

The mistress of the Second Middle School in the summers 
of 1822 and 1823 and of the Mill School in 1826 Avas Rebecca, 
the daughter of Amasa and Rebecca (AA^hiting) Guild, born in 
Dedham, Nov. 13, 1801. She married Edward M. Richards, 
Nov. 22, 1827, and always resided in Dedham. With memory 
still unimpaired she delighted to revicAV the days and scenes of 
her youth, and AA'as not less interested in the occurences of the 
present time. She furnished me so much information concern- 
ing the early teachers, and related so many anecdotes of her 



OF DEDIIAM, MASSACHUSETTS 115 

own school life that I desire to express here my gratitude for 
her kind assistance in preparing this record. She died in 
Dedham April 4, 1895. 

Sanford Partridge Pond was the teacher of the Cljinboard- 
trees School 1822-3. He was the son of Capt. Abner and 
Mercy (Partridge) Pond, born in Wrenthani where he died 
unmarried, March 17, 1827. "lie was a well known teacher 
and left behind him a reputation for intelligence and piety." 

Nathan Metcalf was the master of the West Dedham School 
in the winter of 1822-3. lie was the son of Nathan and Patty 
(Metcalf) Metcalf, born in Franklin in the old Red House, and 
a descendant of Michael Metcalf, the ancient schoolmaster. 
Says one avIio knew him intimately: " He was an ambitious, 
progressive, and quite successful teacher." He taught several 
terms in Medwajs and "for ten years or more was the only 
teacher through the year of a school on Milton Hill near the 
mills of Walter Baker." In 1835 he taught the Centre School 
in Milton. He subse(|uently engaged in trade in Boston, 
where he was for many years an active member of the School 
Conmiittee. He was one of the founders of the American In- 
stitute of Instruction, and for years one of its curators. 
For his second wife " he married Mrs. Ilepsibah Tilton, Jan. 
8, 1872; died March 19, 1892, seventy years after he taught 
in West Dedham." 

In 1822 Thomas Phillips came from Natick to teach the 
Westfield School. In 1824 he married Clarissa Brackett of 
Dedham. He built the second church edifice of St. Paul's 
parish in Dedham, and was a cousin of Nathan Phillips, a 
former well known resident of the Westfield District. 

Eliza Newell Ellis, the daughter of Jonathan and Hannah 
(Newell) Ellis, taught in the South Parish of Dedham, and in 
other places previous to 1823. She was born in Boston in 1797, 
and was educated in Boston schools and academies. She was a 
cousin of the Reverend Drs. George E. and Rufus Ellis. She 



116 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS - 

married George Bird, Jr., of Dcdliam, April 21, 1823 ; died in 
Newton, Mass. 

We find Samuel Plaisted teaching in the Second Middle 
District in 1823-4 and 1824-5. He graduated at Brown Uni- 
versity in 1825; from the medical department of Bowdoin 
College in 1828; and was a phA'sician in Waterville, Me., till 
he died there April 14, 18G0, aged 58 years. 

Charles Chauncey Sewall of Marblehead, son of Chief 
Justice Samuel Sewall, and great, great grandson of Chief 
Justice Samuel Sewall of Boston, born in 1805, taught a private 
school in the " Brick Schoolhouse near the Church," in 1823. 
He soon after married Amy Peters of Medfield, and lived in 
the house next cast of Dea. Baker's in Upper Village, Dedham, 
and taught there a " private and boarding school." Commodore 
John A. Winslow, commander of the "Kearsage" and de- 
stroyer of the " Alabama," attended his school as a boarding 
scholar. In 182G Mr. Sewall entered the ministry and settled 
in Danvers, now Peabody. A few years later he removed to 
Medfield where he spent the remainder of his days. He was 
very active in agricultural affairs, and at one time was the Chap- 
lain of the INIassachusetts House of RepresentJitives. Harvard 
College gave him the honorary A. M. in 1832. He died Nov. 
22, 1889, aged 84 years. 

Rebecca Hall taught the summer school in West Dedham 
in 1823. She is characterized by one of her pupils as a " lady- 
like and most acceptable teacher," and was probably a native 
of Pcppercll. 

George Bird, Jr. instructed the Mill School three months 
in the winter of 1823-4. He was the son of George and Martha 
(Newell) Bird, born in Needham, June 6, 1799 ; was educated 
in Dedham schools and Wrentham Academj^ ; and married Eliza 
Newell Ellis, April 21, 1823. Before he married he taught 
school in Alabama two years. He was a paper manufacturer 
in East Walpole, his mill being on the Neponset River next 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 117 

below that of his brother, Hon. Frank W. Bird. He died in 
Zanesvillc, Ohio. 

Westfield District was favored with the instructions of 
Bunker Gay two winters, 1823-4 and 1824-5. He was the son 
of Lusher and Rebecca Gay of Dedham, born Feb. 3, 1801, 
and married Miss Milly Ellis, May 14, 1829. He spent his 
days in West Dedham, where he died much respected July 22, 
1848. 

Jane Little Montague, after teaching two summers, 1823 
and 1824, in the Mill School, had charge of the primary de- 
partment of the First Middle School several summers. She 
was the daughter of the Rev. William and Jane (Little) Mon- 
tague, born Jan. 3, 1803, in Dedham, where she died Sept. 16, 
1837. 

Drayton Blake taught in West Dedham the winter school 
of 1823-4. He was the son of Deacon Calvin Blake of Wren- 
tham where he is well remembered both as a teacher and 
citizen. After teaching some time in Florida he returned to 
teach in Wrentham. Subsequently he engaged in the manu- 
facture of straw goods. He was a deacon of the First Congre- 
gational Church in Wrentham for many years and died there 
many years ago. 

Maria Osgood taught the Westfield School in the summer 
of 1824. She was drowned in Charles River, Dec. 1, 1826. 

Barzillai Frost gave instruction in the West Dedham 
School in 1824-5 ; was Instructor in History at Harvard Col- 
lege in 1834 ; and graduated from the Harvard Divinity School 
in 1835. 

David N. Fales taught in the Clapboardtrees School the 
winter of 1824-5. He was the son of David and Abigail Fales 
of Wrentham, born Aug. 2, 1805. He was for some years in 
business in Boston ; afterwards engaged in trade in Wrentham ; 
but finally retired to his farm, where he spent the remainder of 
his days, leaving two sons who occupied the premises about 
1890. 



118 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Calvin French, afterwards Deacon, of Needham, taught in 
Dedham several winter schools ; the Mill in 1824-5, the Second 
Middle, 1828-9, 1829-'30, and 1830-'31. The Dedham Records 
contain the following publishment: " Mr. Calvin French of 
Keedham and Miss Mary Fales, Dedham." The Eev. Thomas 
Driver performed the marriage ceremony for Deacon French, 
January 7, 183G. 

Lendamine Draper Guild had charge of the School in the 
Second Middle District four summers, 1824-1827. She was 
the daughter of Calvin and Lendamine (Draper) Guild, born 
Sept. 29, 1803, and married Ezra W. Taft, Sept. 8, 1830. 
iShe was also a teacher in Roxbury, Mass., and had some inter- 
esting experiences in Rhode Island, where she taught, and 
•" boarded round" three days for each scholar. She resided in 
Dedham in firm health and able to enjoy the kind attentions of 
her children, grandchildren, and many relatives and friends, 
till she reached the age of 94 3^cars. Her death occurred 
October 24, 1897. 

In 1825 Mr. Calvin Howe was master in the First Middle 
School. He was very fond of theatrical entertainments, and 
the time of the school was largely given to such exercises. 
The Fool's cap was a popular means of correction in his day, 
and when he suggested that it would be a favor if some of the 
girls would make one for his use, two of the bright misses 
volunteered that duty, and provided two caps of excellent 
pattern. Imagine their dismay when for whispering they w^ere 
the first to wear these tokens of disgrace. The following is 
from the Dedham Records : " By Rev. Alvan Lamson. Mr. 
Calvin Howe of Watertown to Miss Polly Richards of Ded- 
ham." She was a daughter of Dea. Luther Richards. 

Lucinda Newell taught the summer school of Mill Village 
in 1825. The church records indicate that she came from 
Pembroke, N. H., about 1821, and removed to Boston in 1826. 
She was the daughter of Artemas and Rebecca (Mann) Newell 
of Needham, and is said to have never married. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 119 

In 1825 the teacher in East Street, according to Capt. 
Asahel Smith's Diary, was Abner Brigham. He was the son of 
Abner and Dorothy (Woods) Brigham of Marlboro, born June 
21, 1798. He married Lucinda Maybee, and his last known 
residence was in Yarmouth, Canada West. 

In the winter of 1825-6 the Mill School was taught by 
Elisha F. Fales of Wrentham, the son of David and Abisrail 
Fales. He married Mary F. Hammett in 1838, and resided 
last in Norfolk, Mass., where he died May 23, 1871. 

Clapboardtrees indulged in a variety of masters in the 
winter of 1825-6. First Samuel B. Tyler was in office two 
weeks and a half ; then a Mr. Davenport took the helm for 
seven weeks ; then Milton Barrows, Jr. completed the winter's 
work in six weeks. The succeeding winter Mr. Barrows taught 
in the East Street School. The following publishment indicates 
that he had no occasion to regret his visit to Dedham : " Mr. 
Milton Barrows of Attleborough and Miss Mary Ann Guild of 
Dedham, Sept. 19, 1830." The marriage is not recorded in 
Dedham, but I am informed that it took place June 16, 1831. 
He was the son of Milton and Rebecca (Slack) Barrows of 
Attleborough, where he later engaged in manufacturing, and 
w^as a Justice of the Peace at the time of his decease. 

Joseph Alden was master of the Mill School the winter of 
1826-7. He was born Jan. 4, 1807, and graduated from Union 
College, 1828 ; studied divinity at Princeton and was ordained 
as pastor of the Congregational Church of Williamstown,1834 ; 
was appointed a Professor of Williams College in 1835 ; after- 
ward he was for six years the president of Jefferson College, 
Penn. He was the author of several juvenile books, a Mental 
Philosophy, Science of Government, and Christian Ethics. 
Union College gave him a D. D. and Columbia an L. L. D. 
He married in 1834 Isabel Graham, the daughter of Rev. Dr. 
Gilbert R. Livingston of Philadelphia. 

Daniel S. Woodman was master of the Second Middle 
School three and one-half months in the winter of 1826-7. 



120 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

In the summer of 1826 the Westfield School was instructed 
by Miss Deborah E. Baker, the daughter of Joiin and Becca 
(Fisher) Baker of West Dedhani, whose portraits by Alvan 
Fisher now adorn the walls of the Dedhara Historical Society. 
Miss Baker was born Jan. 21, 1807, and- was married to Tim- 
othy Fuller by Rev. John White, April IC, 1834. Mrs. Fuller 
spent the years of her married life chiefly in Lincoln, Maine. 

Caroline Porter spent two summers in charge of the (^lap- 
boardtrees School, 182(5 and 1827. She was the daughter of 
Lebbous Porter of Wrentham, born May 7, 180G ; married 
Rev. William Harlow of Plymouth, who settled first in Canton, 
then in Wrentham. One of her former pupils says, " she was 
a remarkably pleasant teacher, controlling her school by kind- 
ness." She died in Brooklyn, N. Y., Jan., 1893. 

In the winter of 1826-7 the East Street School was taught 
by Pierson Titcomb, the son of John and Elizabeth (Pierson) 
Titcomb, born in Newburyport, Aug. 2, 1776. In 1799 he 
entered the arnjy, joining the 2d Regiment of Artillerists and 
Engineers : in 1801 was made First Lieutenant, and thereafter 
was stationed at the New England forts. He married Margaret 
Morrill of Newburyport, who lived but a few years. While 
stationed at Fort Adams, Newport, R. I., Lieut. Titcomb mar- 
ried Ann Maria de Les Denier, and soon after his marriage re- 
signed his conunission and went to reside in New Hampshire, 
first at Pelham, then in Salem, where ho spent fifteen years, 
and from there removed to Dedham. Later he removed to 
Lowell, which he represented in the Legislature of 1840. In 
1845 he removed to Northfield, where he remained till a short 
time before his death, which occurred in Dedham, Dec. 11, 
1855. Lieut. Titcomb was a handsome man and gifted in 
many ways. He was a fine reader of Shakespeare, and at his 
own fireside often entertained a company by reading the effu- 
sions of his own pen. 

In the summer of 1827 the mistress of the West Dedham 
School was Miss Chloe Haven of Framingham, the daughter of 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 121 

Deacon Moses P. and Cliloe (Eames) Haven, born June 4, 
1793. She never married, and died Jan. 12, 1882, in Fram- 
ingham. 

For sixteen weeks in the summer of 1827, Lucia E. Adams 
had charge of the Second Middle School. 

The Westfield School was under the instruction of Emily 
Baker in the summer of 1827. She was the dauahter of Dea. 
Eliphalet and Nancy (Eaton) Baker, and was united in mar- 
riage to Gardner Paine of Worcester, Oct. 12, 1831. 

Miss Nancy Jones in the summer of 1822 had charge of 
the West Dedham School. I have failed to ascertain any other 
facts concerning her. 

The Westfield District School was under the instruction 
of Elijah Perry two winters, 1827-8 and 1828-9. He was the 
son of Major Elijah and Mary (Jones) Perry of Natick, born 
Nov. 14, 1807, and was educated in the Leicester Academy. 
He was united in marriage to MehitableBattelle of Dover, Nov. 
29, 1832 ; and to Mrs. Malvina R. Wood, January, 1857. He 
served one term as a member of the General Court from Dover 
and Medfield. Was a member of the State Board of Agricul- 
ture, Guardian of the Natick Indians, an active member of the 
South Natick Historical Society, and in general an intelligent 
and public spirited citizen. He died in Natick, Nov. 28, 1885. 

Jane Foord, the daughter of James and Hannah Foord, 
taught the Mill School two summers, 1827 and 1828. She 
died Oct. 15, 1831, at the age of twenty-seven years. 

Walpole Corner School, in the summer of 1827, was in- 
structed by Mary Perry of Natick. She was the daughter of 
Major Elijah and Mary (Jones) Perry, born March 21, 1801. 
She was educated in select schools in West Needham (now 
Wellesley) and Templeton, Mass., and taught school in Dover 
Centre and South Natick several terms. Nov. 29, 1827, she 
was united in marriage to William Richards of Dover by the 
Rev. Ralph Sanger. She died in Natick, Dec. 12, 1889, having 



122 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

been a member of the Congregational Church in West Needham 
since 1819 or 1820. 

Ephraim Peabody, a graduate of Bowdoin College, 1827, 
must have been a valuable guide to the pupils of the Second 
Middle School whom he taught in 1825-6. The followino- from 
the Memorial History of Boston (HI. 479) makes this evident : 
" Ephraim Peabody, D. D., for the past ten years minister of 
King's Chapel, while able and intensely impressive as a 
preacher, was pre-eminently ' a man of beatitudes ' ; and the 
lapse of a quarter of a century since his death cannot have made 
his memory dim or less precious in the minds of many who 
hardly have known, or expect to know, in this world his like." 
Dr. Peabody was born in Wilton, N. H., March 22, 1807 ; died 
Nov. 28, 1856. 

Mr. William Harvey Spear, a graduate of Brown University, 
1827, gave his popular labors to the West Dedham School 
three winters beginning in 1825. He married Catherine Hins- 
dale Allen in Dedham, May 1, 1831. He made the law his pro- 
fession and spent the later years of his life in Plymouth, where 
he died in 1873. 

Nathaniel Ames, son of Hon. Fisher Ames, was in charge 
of the Second Middle School two months in the winter of 
1827-8. He was not an acceptable teacher; and, to complete 
the term, Charles French continued the school a month and a 
half. Mr. Ames was born May 17, 1796 ; died Jan. 8, 1835. 

In the winter of 1827-8 the Mill School was in charge of 
Calvin Fairbanks Ellis, the son of Jason and Susan Davis (Fair- 
banks) Ellis of West Dedham, Avhere he was born Oct. 30, 1806. 
Mr. Ellis was educated at Wrentham Academy, and devoted 
himself to trade in palm-leaf and palm-leaf hats, his place of 
business being on High Street, Boston. He married 1st, Julia 
Ellis Gay, May 17, 1832 ; 2dly, Mrs. Maria (Guild) Fairbanks, 
July 7, 1859. His last residence was in Dedham, where he 
died Feb. 23, 1875. 

Charles Andrews Farlev, a graduate of Harvard in 1827, 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 123 

and afterwards a Unitarian clergyman, taught the East Street 
School in 1828. He was a preacher of good abilities, but is 
said never to have settled permanently as a n;iinister. Accord- 
ing to the Harvard Catalogue he died in 1887. 

In the summer of 1828 the Westfield School was taught by 
Catherine Hinsdale Allen. She was the daughter of Nathan 
and Catherine (Fisher) Allen of Medfield, Mass., where she 
was born in 1810. Naturally gifted and refined she had by 
study and reading cultivated her literary taste and intelligence. 
On May 1, 1831, she was married to William Harvey Spear and 
resided in Plymouth. 

Thomas P. Ryder had charge of the East Street School two 
winters, 1828-9 and 1829-30 ; also of the Mill School in 1834-5 
two months, for which hie received sixty dollars, very high 
wages at that period. 

Harriet Ware of Wrentham was employed in the Clapboard- 
trees School two summers, 1828 and 1829. The daughter of 
Paul and Hannah (Brastow) Ware, she was born Jan. 5, 1799, 
educated in the public schools and Day's Academy of her native 
town, and was a teacher in several places. Nov. 19, 1838, she 
was united in marriage to Nathan Barrett in Boston. Her last 
residence was in Wrentham ; but she died in Dorchester, Feb. 
14, 1888, in her ninetieth year. Many years ago one of her 
pupils mentioned to me Mrs. Barrett's excellent instruction as 
a thing very pleasant to remember. 

Francis William Bird was master of the Mill School in the 
winter of 1828-9, and in the autumn of 1831 opened a private 
school in Dedha*ii Village, but on account of failing health he 
left it in the spring of 1832. He was the son of George and 
Martha (Newell) Bird, born in Dedliam, Oct. 22, 1809. As 
early as 1807 his father was engaged in paper making in Mill 
Village, and after 1818 pursued the same business in Walpole, 
where his son Francis spent a large part of his boyhood in his 
father's mill. At Day's Academy, Wrentham, he prepared to 
enter Brown University from which he graduated in 1831. In 



124 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

1833 he engaged in the manufacture of paper at East Walpole. 
This continued to be his business durino^ a long: and active life. 
In 1834 he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Hill Cooke, 
of Providence, R. I., and in 1843 to Miss Abby Frances Newell 
of Boston. Mr. Bird's political career began in 1846, and from 
that time till the end of his life was earnest and influential. As 
a member of the Legislature and the Council he served the 
state most faithfully, and was always found in opposition to 
schemes that tended to waste and extravagance. 

Joseph Augustus Wilder began to teach in Dedham in the 
Westfield district in 1829. Afterwards he taught successfully 
in the East Street and the First Middle Schools, and later a 
private school in the house now occupied by the daughters of 
Mr. Benjamin H. Adams. He was the son of the Rev. John 
and Esther (Tyler) Wilder of Attleboro, Mass., where in 1811 
he was born, the tenth child of a family of twelve. He entered 
Brown University, but did not graduate. He married Mary 
Smith of Green Lodge, Dedham, Dec. 6, 1830. At one time 
he edited a newspaper in Dedham. His last place of residence 
was Louisville, Kentucky, where he died in 1854, leaving a 
daughter, Mrs. J. H. B. Thayer, of Dedham. 

Appleton Fay tanght the West Dedham School in the 
winter of 1829-30. He was born in Southboro, Mass., Dec. 
8, 1805, the son of Hezekiah and Patty Fay, and married 
Fanny Ciaflin, about 1832. He resided in Worcester, Mass., 
and by occupation was a pattern maker. 

Esther, daughter of Isaac Whiting, taught the Mill School 
the summer term of 1829. She was born July 26, 1807, and 
was married to Amos Hall only a few days before her death. 

From 1829 to 1839 Franklin Crumble was a well-known 
and highly appreciated teacher in Dedham. He bogan his 
work in the Mill School, and succeeded Mr. ]Melvin in the 
First Middle District. In 1834 he taught in East Street, then 
three winters in the Second Middle, closing his labors in the 
Mill School in 1839. He also taught two schools in Milton, 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 125 

and later in life in Auburn, N. H. He was the son of Amos 
and Anna (Patten) Crombie, born in Chester, N. H.,Oct. 25, 
1803, of Scotch-Irish descent. A part of his education he ob- 
tained at Pinkerton Academy, Derry, N. H. ; but he loved to 
own books, and by their use he largely educated himself, and 
later in life was the possessor of a valuable library. He was a 
surveyor of laud and Justice of the Peace many years ; held 
several town oiBces, as Selectman, Representative to the Leg- 
islature, Superintendent of Auburn Schools, and the Modera- 
tor of Auburn town meetings 15 years. He was a thorough 
and strict teacher when the methods of school management 
were much more severe than the present. He was an excellent 
penman, and some of his school records still to be seen are 
models of neatness and good taste. He remained unmarried, 
and resided in Auburn, N. H., where he died December 22, 
1875. 

Julia Ann Gay, mistress in West Dedham in 1829, was 
the daughter of Moses and Mehitable (Holmes) Gay, and mar- 
ried Elijah Howe Nov. 2, 1834. She died Dec. 12, 1880, aged 
77 years. 

In the summer of 1829 the Westfield School was taught by 
Sophia Perrin Baker, the daughter of Obed and Betsey (Met- 
calf) Baker, born in Dedham, Nov. 6, 1810. She was joined 
in marriage to David T. Moody of Scarboro, Maine, Oct. 24, 
1855, and now resides in Westwood. 

In 1829-30 Clapboardtrees employed in its school Merrill 
D. Ellis, who was born in West Dedham, Dec. 7, 1808, and was 
joined in marriage to Rebecca Newell Ellis, June 17, 1847. 
He represented the Town of Dedham in the Legislatures of 
1841, 1842 and 1843, where he was respected as a person of 
intelligence and sound judgment He engaged in trade, both in 
Dedham Villao-e and in West Dedham, closiao: a useful and 
honored life Sept. 1, 1878. 

The West Dedham School was under the instruction of 
Obadiah Wheelock Albee, four winters, 1828-9, and from 1830 



126 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

to 1833. He was the son of Moses and Lucretia (Howard) 
Albee of Milford, born March 24, 1808, and graduated at Brown 
University in 1832. In 1833 he removed to Marlboro and had 
charge of the Gates Academy till 18(50, excepting a year, 1849- 
50, in which he visited California. His pupils came from many 
states. For six years he was in the Legislature, in the Senate 
two years, and was the author of the famous Personal Liberty 
Bill. In 1862 he was appointed Deputy Collector of Internal 
Ee venue. He distinguished himself chiefly as a teacher having 
power "to compel obedience and at the same time to inspire 
affection." He was a valued friend and did much to mould the 
character of business men in his adopted town, where he died 
July 31, 18(3(). 

Horatio Dorr, a native and long time resident of Roxbury, 
was the East Street schoolmaster in the winter of 1830-31. He 
is still (1895) pleasantly remembered by one of his pupils. 

Rebecca Dana Perrj^ taught in West Dedham two sum- 
mers, 1830 and 1831, and in the Second Middle District in 
1834, having previouslj^ taught in Dover. She was the daugh- 
ter of Major Elijah and Mary (eJones) Perry, born in Natick, 
Mass., Sept. 1805, and was educated in a select school in 
Templeton. She niarried Stedman Hartwell of West Dedham, 
April 9, 1835. The eldest of her three children, Alfred 
Stedman Hartwell, graduated at Harvard, 1858, and has been a 
Justice of the Supreme Court and Attorney General of the 
Hawaiian Islands. Mrs. Hartwell died in South Natick, in 
June, 1872. 

From 1829 to 1832 Thomas Jefferson Melvin was master 
of the First Middle School. He was born in Chester, N. H., 
April 11, 1808, the son of elohn and Susanna (Sargent) Mel- 
vin, and his advanced education was obtained at Pinkerton 
Academ}^ in D err}', New Hampshire. In September, 1834, at 
Chester, he was joined in marriage to Harriette Tennj' ; and, 
with the exception of four years spent in Danvers, continued 
to reside in his native town till he died there, Jan. 29, 1881. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 127 

The larger part of his life he was engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness, and he is said to have held at different times all the im- 
portant town offices. He was the Moderator of Chester town 
meetings 25 years ; for 30 years Superintendent of the Sunday 
School and an officer of the Congregational Church. For sev- 
eral years he represented the town in the Legislature, and a 
part of the time was State Senator. In politics he was first a 
Whig, later a Republican. , 

Lucinda Guild, daughter of Gen. Nathaniel Guild, was 
the master's assistant in the First Middle District four years 
with Mr. Melvin and Mr. Crombie. She married Gorham D. 
Pierson, of Boston, Nov. 30, 1843. I have found her memory 
of the schools and teachers very helpful. The extended term 
of her service in the school is evidence of the good quality of 
her work. She died a resident of Dedham. 

A venerable citizen of Dedham informs me that about 
1830, when Mr. Melvin was master of the first division of the 
Centre School, he was himself a pupil in the class taught by 
Lucy E. Chickering. She undertook to punish him with her 
ferule for whispering. At the suggestion of other boys he re- 
fused to hold out his hand ; she then called to her aid Esther 
Foord, another teacher, when their combined strength soon 
brought him under perfect control. The memory of this 
honest witness leaves no doubt that both these ladies belong to 
our list of teachers. Lucy Elizabeth Chickering was the 
daughter of Jabez and Dorothy D. F. (Alleyne) Chickering^ 
born about 1806. She resided in Dedham a long, single life, 
till July 12, 1884, when she died highly respected tor her 
womanly virtues and refinement. 

Esther Foord was of Milton, the daughter of James and 
Hannah (Blake) Foord. She also spent a long single life in 
Dedham, alwa3^s known as a reader of the best books, and a 
steady advocate of the civil rights of women. She died at Fall 
River in her ninetj'-first year, Dec. 12, 1890. 

English Grammar came into American schools chiefly 



128 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEKS 

through the influence of Lindley Murray about the beginning 
of the nineteenth century. But the want of competent teachers 
and the abstract nature of Murray's books caused the study to 
make slow progress. At a later date Smith and Kirkham pre- 
sented the subject in a more attractive way, and the study 
became popular. Then followed a whole troupe of similar 
treatises ; and in some instances the science was expanded into 
thick octavos. Soon everybody seemed to be a sufBcient 
grammarian. Then some wise heads decided that studying 
technical grammar did not necessarily make good speakers and 
writers of the English language. So for a while grammar was 
discarded and "Language" enthroned in its place. But lan- 
guage without grammar is of course mostly ungrammatical. So 
it proved to be in the schools, affecting, I am sorry to say, 
both teachers and pupils. It was a da}' of good omen when 
English Grannnar was again thoroughly studied and applied in 
the schoolrooms. The much defamed practice of parsing will, 
if properly directed, develop the logical and linguistic powers 
as no " language exercises " ever did or can. 

Esther Mann Whitney, for sixty dollars, taught the Second 
Middle School twenty weeks and boarded herself, in the summer 
of 1830. She was the daughter of Col. Moses and Nancy 
(Mann) Whitnc}' of Wrentham, and began her work as a 
teacher with nmch promise in her native town. For twelve or 
fourteen years her teaching was of the nature of a kindergarten. 
She taught a select private school for joung children in Troy, 
New York, and many of her pupils are now persons of worth 
and distinction. She never married. One of her contempo- 
raries writes : "I remember her as a very attractive woman, 
of whom the young were very fond. It was only a year ago that 
she died ; so that she lived to a good old age." Her last days 
were spent in Greenwich, Rhode Island. 

Eliza Gay, afterwards Mrs. Perkins of Sharon, taught the 
Mill School in 1830, and the Second Middle in 1836. In her 



OF DEDIIAM, MASSACHUSETTS 129 

will she remembered West Dedham, her birthplace, by a legacy 
for the benefit of their branch of the Town Library. 

In 1830 Mary Baker taught the school in West Dedham a 
term of sixteen weeks. She was the daughter of John and Becca 
(Fisher) Baker of Fox Hill Street, born Dec. 22, 1804. She 
never married and was for many years remarkable for her eiB- 
ciencj in the families of her near relatives. Iler last days of 
age and feebleness were passed in Lincoln, Maine, at the home 
of her sister Deborah. 

About 1830 Sarah Ann Montague began to teach the sum- 
mer school of P^ast Street and continued her work there pro- 
bably several 3^ears. She was the daughter of Rev. William 
and Jane (Little) Montague, born in Dedham, where she was 
united in marriage to Edward Ellis Titcomb, August 0, 1835. 
*' She was a woman of strong character and characteristics, 
much executive ability, a true friend, a devoted wife and 
mother." She died January 24, 1850, leaving two children ; a 
daughter who was for several years the principal of St. Mary's 
Hall, Burlington, N. J., and a son who served in the War of 
the Rebellion as a Captain in the 38th Regiment, U. S. Colored 
Troops. 

Martha Clark taught the East Street School the sunmier of 
1831. She died soon after, and it is reported that Warren 
Swann, to whom she was engaged to be married, showed his 
devotion to her memory by remaining single the rest of his life. 
The engagement ring is still in the possession of her niece, Mrs. 
George F. Wight. Miss Clark was the daughter of Major Jacob 
and Prudence (Stowe) Clark, born May 5, 1813, and died Dec. 
19, 1832. She was educated at the Ipswich Ladies' Seminary. 
She was for a short time a teacher in the Infant School which 
for several years was a popular institution in Dedham. 

As the schools and teachers have become more numerous 
and the records of some districts have been lost, it becomes 
very difficult to find the personal history of some who, no 
doubt, contributed most valuable services. Frequently we 



130 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS _ 

have to be satisfied with only a name and a proximate date. 
But as a record this may have an interest and value hereafter ; 
so we do not think best to omit even the most imperfect data 
relating to our subject. 

In the winter of 1831-2 William L. Stearns was master of 
the Clapboardtrees School. . In the absence of other important 
facts it was pleasant to be informed by a very aged person, 
once a pupil of Mr. Stearns, that he was his best teacher. 

The master of the Second Middle School in 1830-1 was 
William D. Upham of Weathersfield, Vermont. He graduated 
at Brown University in 1835 and subsequently taught a private 
school in Wickford, R. I. His death occurred in 1875. 

The winter school of Clapboardtrees in 1830-31 was in- 
structed by Mr. John B. White. Other facts concerning him 
have eluded my most diligent inquiries, 

Luther Richards of Dover was master of the Westfield 
School two winters, 1830-1 and 1831-2. Subsequently he en- 
gaged in business in Boston. On May 1, 1839, he was married 
to Miss Abby F. Wilson of Dedham. 

Also in 1831 or 1832 Ruth Robinson was the school mis- 
tress in South Dedham. She is said to have married a Mr. 
Maynard of Westboro and removed to the State of Tennessee. 

Lucy S. Broad of Needham spent three summers, 1830-1- 
2, as teacher of the Westfield District. She is said to have 
married a Mr. Tolnian and resided in Worcester. She is re- 
membered still as an excellent teacher. 

William Thurston, styled a " very young teacher" by one 
of his pupils, taught in South Dedham in 1831. He was the 
step-son of the late Sanmel Swett of Dedham. 

Margaret Taft in 1832 was associated with Mr. 
Wilder in the instruction of the First Middle District. She 
was a native of Uxbridge, the daughter of Frederick and 
Abigail (Wood) Taft, and was joined in marriage to Calvin 
Guild of Dedham, May 19, 1836. Greatly beloved by a large 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 131 

circle of relatives and neighbors, she died in Dedhain Jan. 23, 
1891. 

Nathaniel Metcalf Guild taught the Westfield District 
Winter School, 1832-3. He was the son of Calvin and Lenda- 
mine (Draper) Guild, born July 21, 1811; fitted for college 
at Bradford under the instruction of Benjamin Greenleaf, the 
author of arithmetics ; entered Brown University, but on ac- 
count of failing health left in his second year and went to the 
South, where he taught for a time, and then engaged in busi- 
ness. Later he resided several years in California, but re- 
turned to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he spent his last years in 
trade. He married Mary Messingerof Dedham, Sept. 10,1839, 
and died in Cincinnati Dec. 7, 1859. 

About 1832 Annie Gay, •' of venerable age," taught school 
in South Dedham and three summers in East Street. " Was 
very exact," says one of her pupils. She lived to a great age. 
The records of the West Dedham district for 1832 name 
as teachers Rebecca L. Humphreys and Elizabeth Clark, but 
concerning neither have I been able to obtain any additional 
information. 

The primary department of the First Middle School about 
1832 was in charge, for a time, of Miss Louisa Allen, the 
daughter of Nathan and Catherine (Fisher) Allen, born in 
Medfield 1819. She continued to reside in Dedham and was 
for years an active worker in the anti-slavery cause. Later 
she removed to Plymouth, where she spent her last days with 
her sister, Mrs. Spear. 

In the summer of 1832 the East Street School was in 
charge of Miss Sarah Stowe Clark, the daughter of Major 
Jacob and Prudence (Stowe) Clark, born in Dedham, March 
27, 1812. She was educated at the Wheaton Seminary in 
Norton, and at the IpsAvich Female Seminary. She was mar- 
ried to Ebenezer Paul Crane of Dedham, April 7, 1836. With 
the exception of a few years at Newton Lower Falls she spent 
her life in her native town where her kindness of heart and 



132 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

uniform cheerfulness secured her many warm friends. Previous 
to her marriage she taught schools in Richmond, R. I., and 
Braintree, Mass. She died in Dedham, December 30, 1881. 

Ann Matilda Ellis was a teacher in South Walpole, 1833 ; 
in the Mill School, 1835 ; and in South Dedham, 1836. She 
was the daughter of Richard and Abigail P^llis (Dean) Ellis, 
born in Dedham Oct. 8, 1813 ; educated in the public and 
private schools of West Dedham, and married to John Endicott 
of Canton, Jan. 7, 1838. She still resides in Canton, and 
among other sources of enjoyment she speaks of " the Dedham 
Historical Register, a publication of nmcli interest to me." 
Her many friends would gladly see her complete, as did her 
mother, a full century of happy and honored years. 

Almira Boynton taught in the Readville District about 
1834. She married Lyman Locke of Boston. 

In the winter of 1833-4 William Cleveland had charge of 
the Westfield School. He was the son of George Cleveland of 
Dover and a cousin of Ira Cleveland, Esq., late of Dedham. 

During two winters, 1833-4 and 1834-5, Josiah Warren 
Talbot was the master of the West Dedham School, and of the 
South Dedham in 1836. He was the son of Josiah and Mary 
(Richards) Talbot, born in Faj'ette, Maine, and educated in 
the schools of Sharon, and " various Academies." He studied 
for the ministry with a clergyman of Roxbury ; was ordained by 
the Boston Association of Universalists in 1836 ; preached in 
several towns and was last settled in East Boston. He was 
married to Mary L. Bigelow, Boxborough, Mass., in 1838. 
Removed in 1860 to South Dedham where in 1895 he resided 
as a respected citizen of Norwood. 

For two winters 1833-4 and 1835-6, the Mill School was 
taught by Mr. E. A. Bradeen. The intervening winter school 
of 1834-5 was in charge of Mr. C. W. Skates. The same 
school, in the summer of 1834, was taught by Miss T. C. 
Hamlet. 

For two summers, 1833 and 1834, Rebecca Newell Ellis 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 133 

had charge of the Clapboard trees School. She was the daugh- 
ter of Jason and Susan D. (Fairbanks) Ellis, born Oct.8, 1811, 
and married to Merrill D. Ellis, June 17, 1847. On the 23d 
of December, 1889, she died in West Dedham, where she had 
long enjoyed the esteem of all who knew her. 

About 1833 or earlier Sophia Foord became a teacher in 
the First Middle School and continued several years. She was 
the daughter of James and Hannah (Blake) Foord of Milton 
and lived to a venerable age in Dedham where she was re- 
spected for her intelligence and extensive reading. She died 
May 1, 1885, aged 82 years, 9 months, and 24 days. 

In the winter of 1833-4 Lovell Child was master in the 
Clapboard trees district. 

Eunice Messenger, the daughter of Deacon Jason and 
Olive (Read) Messenger of Dedham, taught in the Second 
Middle District in 1833. She was born in 1811 and was united 
in marriage to John A. Collins of Boston, September, 1842. 

The Summer School in the Westfield District was taught 
by Miss Jane Ann Grover three terms, 1833, 4 and 5. She 
was the daughter of Calvin and Ruth (Billings) Grover, born 
in Foxborough, June 20, 1809, and educated in Dr. Baker's 
School in Dorchester and Rev. Mr. Blake's Classical Institute 
in Medway. She taught school in Foxborough in 1836 and in 
Mansfield about 1832. She married David Addison Baker of 
Dedham, Dec. 1, 1836. The rest of her life was spent in 
Dedham where she died much respected, Jan. 21, 1881. 

Cornelia Guild taught the primary department of the 
Second Middle School the summer of 1833. Subsequently she 
taught in Rhode Island. She was the daughter of Calvin and 
Lendamine (Draper) Guild, and was educated at Bradford 
Academy, then under the care of Mr. Greenleaf, the Arith- 
metician. She married John Shorey, a merchant of Boston, 
in 1833, and resided in that city for a short time. Later she 
resided many years in Dedham, enjoying the society and 



134 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

esteem of many dear friends. She died at Boston Highlands, 
Nov. 6, 1898. 

In 1834 Thomas Rotch Bourne, a student in medicine, was 
employed as teacher in the East Street School. He died in 1839. 

Lyman Washington Dean taught the Clapboardtrees School 
during the whiter of 1834-5. He was the son of Asa and 
Ohloe (Bourne) Dean of Attleborough, born Feb. 22, 1805, 
and was educated chiefly at Wrentham Academy. He married 
Mayette Ingniham of Attleboro, April 8, 1833. " He taught 
school first in Rehoboth ; worked on the farm summers and 
taught winters in Attleborough, Taunton, Canton, and last in 
Dedham." In 1835 he took charge of a temperance hotel in 
Attleborough, and bought it in 1837. The same year he be- 
came postmaster, and so continued, with one short interrup- 
tion, for twenty-four years. He w.as a member of the State 
Senate in 1850, afterwards Sheriff of Bristol County. His 
ability as a public speaker was often serviceable to his political 
friends. Mr. Dean died March 7, 1891, in Attleborough, 
" completing a long, useful, and honorable life." 

Mr. Charles Aldrich succeeded Mr. Melvin in the First 
Middle School in 1833, continuing there about three years. He 
was the son of Ellis and Hannah (White) Aldrich, born in Ux- 
bridge, Aug. IG, 1807, and was educated in Mendon, Milford 
and Bolton, the last school being taught by Thomas Frye. In 
1836, Sept. 19, he married Ann Bowen Congdon of Uxbridge ; 
resided a few months in Rochester, N. Y. , and then fifteen 
years in Fall River devoted to teaching. The remainder of his 
life he passed in Manchester, N. H., teaching a portion of the 
time. He died Sept. 12, 1887, leaving a widow who now 
resides with her son, George 1. Aldrich, formerly superintend- 
ent of schools for the city of Newton ; at present a member of 
the Massachusetts State Board of Education. 

The twin daughters of Dr. Abijah and Lavina (Tyler) 
Draper of Roxbury were for a term each in charge of Dedham 
schools. They were born July 21, 1810 ; and both attended 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 135 

the Bradford Young Ladies' Seminary, then in charge of 
Benjamin Greenleaf, the Arithmetician. Augusta taught the 
Second Middle School twenty-four weeks in the summer of 
1832. She married Chauncy Woodward of Brookline, Nov. 
25, 1847, and resided in West Eoxbury till her death, Sept. 4, 
1877. Amanda had charge of the Mill School twenty-six 
weeks in 1837. She never married, and died at West Roxbury 
April 26, 1879. Her uncontrollable grief at the loss of her 
brother and sister, with Avhom she had always lived, is supposed 
to have shortened her life. 

For several years about 1835, Caroline Whiting taught a 
private school at her own home, in Dedham Village. She had 
taught public schools in several towns of Rhode Island, and was 
for a number of years an assistant teacher in the Academy at 
Kingston in the same state. In 1839 she was the Preceptress 
of Lawrence Academy, at Groton, Mass. We have her own 
testimon}^, that she taught the French language and intellectual 
philosophy in that school. She was a ladj of varied attainments, 
being well versed in theology, genealogy, and general and local 
history. During the last years she spent in Dedham she was 
very much of a recluse, and her mind falling into a morbid state 
on that account, she was taken to the home of a brother in 
Clinton where she died the 28th of June, 1890. She was the 
oldest child of John and Lucinda (French) Whiting, born in 
Dedham, July 5, 1810. 

The Westfield School was in charge of Miss Elizabeth H. 
Haven two summers, 1836 and 1840. In 1841 she was united 
in marriage to the Rev. Solomon Clark of Northampton, who 
was seven years a minister of the Evangelical Church in Can- 
ton, having been installed Nov. 12, 1851. Mrs. Clark was a 
person of many excellent qualities which commanded the re- 
spect and esteem of all who came within the sphere of her 
influence. 

Augusta Bigelow taught a private school in the Unitarian 
Vestry in 1835. How long she continued it cannot be stated ; 



136 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS - 

indeed the only important fact I am sure of is, that the school 
was patronized by many of the leading families of Dedham, and 
several of her pupils are still living here. 

Sarah Baker, daughter of Captain Aaron Baker, taught in 
West Dedham the summer of 1835. 

For twenty weeks in 1835-6, Mr. John Pierce was master 
of the West Dedham School. Afterwards he became a Uni- 
versalist preacher. 

Anthony Brackett taught three months in the Second Mid- 
dle School, 1835-6. 

Galen Spare, from Dec. 3, 1835, to March 23, 1836, 
taught the Clapboard trees School. He was the son of Elijah 
and Sally (Clapp) Spare, born April 11, 1815; married 
Sarah Ann Briggs of Canton, Nov. 26, 1844; was educated at 
Pierce Academv, Middleboro ; taught school in Milton in 1842. 
Engaged in trade at South Canton and was Collector of Taxes ; 
was a life member of the Home Missionary Society ; died 
March 1, 1867, and was buried in Forest Hills Cemetery. 

Mary Ann Talbot taught the West Dedham School two 
summers, 1835 and 1836 ; she also taught in Milton. She was 
a native of Sharon, the daughter of Josiah and Mary (Kichards) 
Talbot. In 1837 she was united in marriage to Seth Colburn 
of West Dedham, and in 1894 was a resident of Holliston. 

Catherine Smith, who became Mrs. Warren Covell, was 
employed a few weeks in the same school in the summer of 
1836. 

Abigail, the daughter of Sabin Baker, was the teacher of a 
school in West Dedham a few weeks in the summer of 1836. 
Not many years later she died in Providence, R. I. 

Jason Holmes of Plymouth, Mass., taught the East Street 
School three winters about 1835. Later he went to California, 
where he died soon afterwards. 

Mrs. Mary Robershaw, of Walpole, of venerable age, as 
one of her pupils describes her, was mistress in the Second 
Middle School during the summer of 1835. 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 137 

W. H. Talbot, of Taunton, a college student, had charge 
of the Westfield School during the winter of 1835-6. 

In the winter of 1835-6 Mr. E. Russell managed the Mill 
School eight weeks. Then it passed into the hands of T. P. 
Ryder, for eight weeks, cause and effect of the change not 
ascertainable. 

Daniel Wight taught the Readvllle School two winters, 
probably 1834-5, and 1835-6. This publishment may apply to 
him : " 1844, Oct 6. Mr. Daniel Wight, of New York City, 
and Miss Susan Elizabeth Fisher of Dedham." 

About 1835 Harriet E. Colburn, daughter of Ellis and 
Celia (Baker) Colburn, taught at Walpole Corner. She mar- 
ried Edward Freeman, of Bellingham, who had been a teacher 
in the same school a little earlier. 

In the winter of 1836-7 the Westfield School was instructed 
by Mr. John Angier Whitney. He was of Natick, son of George 
and Esther (Morse) Whitney, born Dec. 17, 1817. He was 
educated at the Teachers' Seminary, Andover, Mass. He had 
taught the Centre School in Northboro ; also in Plymouth, 
1835. In 1836 he married Emily A. Walker; in 1852, Eliza- 
beth Thomson of Natick ; their children are seven sons and two 
daughters. His occupation is farming on the paternal acres 
in Natick, in which town he has been Collector of Taxes, High- 
way Surveyor and School Committee. For several years be- 
tween 1850 and 1860 he resided in Dedham. 

Abigail Colburn for twenty weeks in 1836 was a teacher in 
West Dedham. She was the daughter of Eliphalet and married 
Charles E. Morse. 

In the summer of 1836 a Miss Hawes of Walpole taught 
the Mill School five weeks. 

From May to October, 1836, George Stearns occupied the 
master's chair in Clapboard trees. 

Mr. J. A. Boutelle taught the Mill School successfully in 
the winter of 1836-7. 

Levina R. Gay had charge of the summer schools in Clap- 



138 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACH^KS 

boardtrees in 1836 and 1837, the intervening winter school 
being in charge of Jacob Clark. 

Caroline Wells, of Boston, was the teacher in East Street 
about 1836. 

In the summer of 1835 the Clapboardtrees School was in- 
structed by Sarah Elizabeth Coffin. She was the daughter of 
John Gorham and Elizabeth (Rice) Coffin, born in Avon Place, 
Boston, Jan. 27, 1816. She was educated at Miss Pemberton's 
School, Mr. William B. Fowle's Monitorial School, and under 
the instruction of Miss Dorothea L. Dix, the well-known philan- 
thropist, who taught a private school in Dorchester, in which 
school Miss Coffin was also for a time an assistant teacher. In 
1838 she was united in marriage to Rev. Xathaniel Hall, of 
Dorchester, where she still resides. Mrs. Hall says : I remem- 
ber with gratitude the kindness of Rev. Mr. White. Mr. King 
Gay also did all he could to help me in the school." 

Miles Teel Gardner, the teacher of a private schaol in 
Dedham, was the son of Miles and Lydia (Teel) Gardner, 
born in West Cambridge, Jan. 21, 1807; and graduated from 
Harvard College in 1834. From Sept. 1834 to 1837 he taught 
an academy in Walpole, New Hampshire ; then opened a private 
school in Dedham which he continued several prosperous years. 
In 1838 he married Miss Martha Eddy Cotting, of West Cam- 
bridge. After leaving Dedham, he taught a few years in Arling- 
ton, but left that place and occupation on account of ill health 
and removed, first to Rochester, N. Y., then to Detroit, Michi- 
gan, where he opened a seed store, and was a successful busi- 
ness man. In 1860 he married Nannette Ellingvvood Brown of 
Detroit. He died in that city in 1887. His widow and a 
daughter, the only survivor of his four children, now reside in 
Ann Arbor, Mich. 

Miss Mary Gardner, sister of Miles T., born Feb. 1, 1818, 
began to teach in Mill Village June, 1839, contiuing there till 
the fall of 1840, when she took charge of the Readville School 
till the spring of 1841, making two years of very successful 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 139 

work in the town of Dedham. She had previously taught one 
summer in Charlestown and one in Medford. After leaving 
Dedhara she taught two summers in the West School of Milton. 
She was educated in her brother's academy at Walpole, N. H., 
and at the Hawes Institute in South Boston. On the 15th of 
January, 1848, she was married to Mr. Oliver Pierce of Dedham, 
and now resides on Edge Hill Road, Milton. 

Her sister, Almira Gardner, born March 15, 1823, and 
educated at her brother's school in Dedham, had charge of the 
Readville School the summer of 1842. She died in Arlington, 
August, 1870. 

In the summer of 1837 Sarah C. Cox taught the Westfield 
School. The town record apparently relating to her is as fol- 
lows : " 1842, May 1. Mr. Marshall Newell of Canton and 
Miss Sarah C. Cox of Dedham." 

Sarah D. Bradley of Milton taught the Eeadville School 
two summers, 1837 and 1838. She married Mr. Jeremiah 
Plimpton, who was for many years a teacher in Roxbury. The 
register kept by her is a specimen of beautiful penmanship. 
Mrs. Plimpton died in Roxbury, Feb. 11, 1895. 

Charles Durg-in was master of the Mill School the winter of 
1837-8. According to the testimony of one who was under his 
care he believed in prompt and perfect obedience, and acting 
out that reasonable belief was successful in improving the order 
and discipline of the school. 

Atherton T. Wilde of Braintree took charge of the First 
Middle School in 1837. He was teaching it in 1838, for on June 
18th of that year his school was examined in the presence of six 
members of the Town Committee. They criticised his disci- 
pline, but his pupils were very fond of him. 

Martha Lewis of Walpole, afterwards Mrs. Hixon of 
Springfield, taught the Second Middle School twenty weeks in 
the summer of 1837. Her pupils of sixt}'^ years ago commend 
her work. Of how many the same report would be given, were 
their pupils here to testify ! 



140 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

From 1837 to 1843, Mary Colburn, daughter of Isaac and 
Mary, taught school in Dedham ; first in West Dedham, then at 
Readville, and last at West Dedham again. She was married 
to Elijah Wheelock, Jr. , in 1845, and spent the later years of her 
life in South Dedham and Norwood. Her only own brother was 
Dana P. Colburn, the author of valuable works on Arithmetic, 
and also distinguished as a Normal teacher in Rhode Island. 
Mrs. Wheelock always manifested a lively interest in the subject 
of education, especially in the education of her own promising 
family of children. She died in 1894. 

Samuel Bradley Noyes, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Mor- 
rill Noyes, instructed the Clapboartrees School two winters, 
1837-8 and 1838-9. Mr. Noyes was a well-known lawyer of 
Canton, an entertaining writer, an accomplished singer, and a 
most genial gentleman. His life may be read in the history of 
Norfolk County, for which he contributed the excellent con- 
densed history of Canton, the town in which he resided after he 
began the practice of law in 1847. He was born in Dedham, 
April 9, 1817, graduated at Harvard in 1844, and was united 
in marriao;e to Miss Georgiana Beaumont in 1850. 

His sister, Maria, was also a teacher of Dedham in the First 
Middle School, 1838 and 1839. She was a member of the church 
of which Dr. Burgess was pastor, also a singer in the choir and 
teacher in the Sunday School. In all these relations she was, in 
the language of a friend, "active, faitliful and conscientious." 
She died young. 

John Colcord taug-ht the children of East Street in 1838-9. 
One of his pupils wrote as follows: "afterwards he became 
the master of the Phillips Grammar School in the city of Bos- 
ton." I have no means of verifying the statement, but accept 
it as true. 

Cyrus G. Myrick was in charge of the Second Middle 
School from Oct. 28, 1838, to March 23, 1839. His pupils 
numbered sixty. Mr. Myrick was of Middlebury, Vt. 

In the summer of 1838 the teacher of the Westfield School 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 141 

was Julia Ann Farnham. She was of Amherst, N. H., the 
daughter of Gearey and Sophronia (Bills) Farnham. She was 
well educated in the public schools of Roxbury and at private 
schools in Cambridge and Newton. She married JerahmeelC. 
Pratt in 1839 and resided in Roxbury. 

Emily Stone taught the South School of the South Parish 
sixteen weeks in the summer of 1838. The thirty pupils, from 
three to fifteen years old, show an average attendance of 28, as 
her neatly kept register testifies. 

Joanna Plympton of Walpole, afterwards Mrs. Willard 
Lewis, had charge of the Second Middle School, summer of 
1838, twenty weeks. 

Elmira Whiting was mistress of the Mill School, summer 
of 1838. She was the daughter of John and Lucinda F., born 
April 27, 1812. She never married, and died before arriving 
at a very advanced age. 

In the summer of 1838 the Clapboardtrees School was in 
charge of Lydia Ann Wyatt Whitney, the daughter of Benjamin 
and Rachel N. (Spooner) Whitney of Hudson, New York, born 
August 7, 1807. From 1811 to 1820, she was a pupil in the 
schools of Dorchester, Mass., the next five years in Uxbridge, 
where at that time there was a very popular Academy. She 
taught schools in many places, Dorchester, Milton, Uxbridge and 
Marlboro, Mass. ; Brewer, West Corinth and Levant, Me. ; 
Slatersville, R. I., and Ogdensburg, N. Y. Her school in Dor- 
chester was private, continued from 1825 to 1835, being one 
year an infant school, an institution very popular at that time. 
In Brewer, Me., 1835-6 she had a school of 103 pupils of all 
ages from four to sixteen, and no assistant. In INIilton, Mass., 
1837, she taught five months a school of 95 pupils. Miss Whit- 
ney's life of teaching, always successful, continued more than 
fifty years. She never married because "the right one never 
came." Her last residence Avas in Framingham, Mass. 

In the winter of 1838-9 Mr. Alexander Wheelock Thayer 
tauo-ht school in the AYestfield District. He was the son of Dr. 



142 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Wheelock and Susan (Bigelow) Thayer of South Natick. He 
was a resident of Trieste, Austria, as United States Consul 
more than thirty years. He wrote the life of Beethoven, one 
volume of which has been published ; but the work awaited 
completion on account of the author's impaired health. Since 
the foregoing was written, Mr Thayer has died in Trieste. 

Edwin S. Adams for two long winter terms, 1838-9 and 
1839-40, had charge of the school in West Dedham. Amonsr 
his pupils we note Hon. Waldo Colburn, Reuben A. Guild, 
librarian of Brown University, and Dana P. Colburn, author of 
arithmetics. 

From Dec. 3, 1838 to March 8, 1839, Alexander Edwards 
taught in District No. 7, South Dedham. His school numbered 
thirty-five and the average attendance was thirty-three. This 
fact and the perfect neatness of his register of pupils varying 
in age from three to eighteen years testify to his executive ability 
and success. 

From Dec. 2, 1838 to Feb. 22, 1839, Timothy P. Dodge 
was the teacher of the Readville School. He kept a very neat 
register, and one of his pupils characterizes him as " one of the 
good teachers." 

Mr. George Otis Fairbanks of Medway taught the North 
School of the South Parish from April 9, 1838 to March 10, 
1839. His school numbered 72 : 41 boys, 31 girls ; average 
attendance 57, of ages from 19 to 3 years, 22 pupils from three 
to five years. With such a school he was expected to be alwa3^s 
calm and even-tempered for twenty-fiv'e dollars per month, pay- 
ing for his board monthly out of that generous salary only eleven 
dollars. He was the son of Otis and Sylvia (Fuller) Fairbanks, 
began to teach school when seventeen years old, and had a suc- 
cessful experience in Upton, Canton, Dedham, Lowell andNew- 
buryport. Then he studied dentistry, and in 1845 began prac- 
tice in Fall River, where for many j^ears he was the leader of 
his profession. He was public spirited, and held many offices ; 
school committee from 1848 onwards, selectman 1852 and 1853 ; 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 143 

in 1861 president of Common Council ; in 1866 Chairman of 
School Committee ; in 1867 Mayor of the City of Fall River. 
Dr. Fairbanks was a Representative in the Legislature six years, 
1869 to 1873, and 1875. His last public service was in the 
Board of Overseers of the Poor of which he was Clerk. The 
poor found in him a friend and cherished his memory with 
gratitude. He died March 11, 1884, survived by three sons 
and one daughter. 

From May 7 to Oct. 20, 1838, Susan R. Talbot taught 
the primary department in the West Dedham School. Reports 
left by her show her whole number of pupils to have been fifty- 
six from two years of age — there were two of that ripe age — 
to thirteen ; the one of this age studied Natural Philosophy. 
The average attendance was forty -five. The fullness, accuracy 
and neatness of her reports, with such a school to instruct, 
leave no doubt as to her ability. She was the daughter of Josiah 
and Mary (Richards) Talbot of Sharon, and married Samuel 
Richards in the same town. Her education was in the schools 
of Sharon, "and various Academies." She was a resident of 
South Walpole in 1895. 

In 1838 Mr. Levi Reed became master of the First Middle 
School, and held that position three years. He was of East 
Abington, the son of Samuel and Polly (Corthell) Reed, born, 
as his sister informs me, " the last hour of the last day of the 
last Aveek of the last month of the year 1814." He was 
educated in the public schools of East Abington and Phillips 
Academy, Andover. He began to teach in South Scituate, now 
Norwell, continued in North Abington and other places, com- 
pleting four years. After leaving Dedham he taught the Wash- 
ington School in Roxbury thirteen years, closing his labors 
there April 29, 1853, as we learn from an inscription on a silver 
pitcher presented to him on that occasion by the teachers and 
pupils of his school. He then engaged in the manufacture of 
shoes in company with his brother Samuel in East Abington. 
He was trial justice several years, and then justice of the peace ; 



144 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

represented the town in the Legislature of 1859 ; was a member 
of the State Senate in 18(50. He was elected State Auditor in 
1861 and held that office, we think, as long as he could legally. 
The duties were arduous, and his health was so impaired by 
their performance that he never afterwards was able to engage in 
business. What strength he retained he devoted largely to the 
interests of soldiers and their families and was regarded by 
them as a kind friend and benefactor. On the 250th anniver- 
sary of the incorporation of the town of Abington he was the 
president of the day, and in many other ways his townsmen 
paid him merited respect. His last years of feebleness and 
christian resignation came to a peaceful end Oct. 18, 1869. 

East Street School from Nov. 7, 1838 to March 8, 1839, 
was instructed by Mr. J. Holmes. There were forty pupils and 
the average attendance was thirty-seven : eight studied AVorces- 
ter's General Historjs and five AVatts on the Improvement of 
the Mind. The register kept by him shows that there was 
not a child of foreign parentage in the school. 

Mr. James B. Richards, the son of a missionary to the 
Sandwich Islands of the same name, tauglit the Westfield School 
in 1838-39, and the Second Middle in 1839-40. He had been 
educated at Phillij^s Academy, Andover, and contiiuied the 
business of an instructor. At the time of his death he was in 
charge of an institution for the Aveak-minded in South Boston. 
I think he was the first of a line of teachers em[)loyed in the 
Wostlield District for long winter terms, through the influence, 
and largely at the expense, of the Rev. Dr. P^ ben e/.er Burgess. 
These winter schools were attended by many i)ui)ils from other 
districts, on account of the advantages there offered for })ursu- 
ing advanced studies preparatory to college. 

The summer schools of the Readville District were in 
charge of Susan Thompson four years, beginning with 1839. 
She was of Milton i)arentage, Asa and Mary (HoNvard) Thomp- 
son, and born in 1820. Besides the District schools of Dor- 
chester, she enjoyed the privileges of an excellent Academy 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 145 

near Dr. Codman's Church and under his special direction. 
Miss Thompson Avas a teacher about four years and a half in 
what is now the Tileston School of Dorchester, beginning in 
1844. She was married, first to Charles Henry Holmes of 
Milton ; afterwards to Mr. William Jones of Boston. Mrs. 
Jones now (1897) resides on Bird Street, Mattapan. 

Miss Nancy Guild had a long experience as a teacher in 
Dedham, beginning in West Dedham in 1839. In 1851 and 
1852 she had charge of the second division of the Mill Village 
School. In 1856 she took charge of the Second Middle, and 
for several years, beginning in 1861, she conducted a success- 
ful private school. She was the daughter of Calvin and Lend- 
amine (Draper) Guild, born Oct. 20, 1816. She resided in 
Dedham all her life, which ended July 15, 1891. 

In the summer of 1839 Ann Sumner Metcalf had charge 
of the Second Middle School twenty weeks ; also from 1856 to 
1860 she was mistress of the grammar department of the same 
school. Beginning in her sixteenth year Miss Metcalf was an 
acceptable teacher for thirty-seven years ; first in Wrentham 
about seven years ; in HoUiston from 1840 to 1845 ; in Brook- 
line from 1850, nearly six years ; in Walpole from 1861 to 
1872 ; and as a substitute in Brookline in eighteen different 
schools. She is the daughter of David and Ann (Sumner) 
Metcalf, born in Wrentham, Aug. 29, 1818, and was educated 
at Wrentham and Holliston Academies. Jan. 22, 1874, she 
was married to Josiah Maynard Russell of Walpole, Mass. ; 
and, after residing in Brookline and Boston, has now returned 
to dwell in Wrentham, her native town. 

In the summer of 1839 the Mill School was instructed ten 
weeks by Georgiana Butterfield, the daughter of Pitts and 
Lucy (Damon) Butterfield, born in Dedham, Oct. 30, 1819. 
The public and private schools of Dedham gave her the means 
of education. She married Isaacus C. Smith, May 9, 1839, 
and in 1902 was living with her daughter, Mrs. Dr. G. C. 
Howard, in Lawrence. 



146 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

In 1839 Lauretta Wheaton Taft Avas a teacher in the 
primary department of the First Middle School. She also had 
charge of the primary part of the JVIill School two summers of 
20 weeks each, 1842 and 1843. She was the daughter of 
Frederic A. and Amanda (Wheaton) Taft, born Nov. 28, 
1816 ; married Francis Guild Nov. 5, 1846 ; and died April 6, 
1875. She spent her life in Dedham, where her rare mental 
gifts, refined moral sense and force of character were justly 
appreciated. 

AVilliam Henry Wood, son of Judge AYood of Middleboro, 
instructed the AV^estfield School two long winter terms, 1839- 
40 and 1840-41. He graduated at Brown University in 1834, 
studied law and reached judicial honors. He died in 1883. 
His work as a teacher is highly commended by those who were 
under his instruction. 

Sarah Morse was mistress of the Clapboard trees School in 
the smnmer of 1839. The following winter, 1839-40, Samuel 
Bennett was the master. 

In 1839 Lydia Ann Stowe, of Dedham, the daughter of 
Timothy and Lydia (Ford) Stowe, joined at Lexington, Mass., 
the first class of the first Normal School established in this 
country. So it is safe to say that she was the first Normal 
teacher employed in the Dedham schools, East Street being 
the field of her labors in 1841, and South Dedham in 1842. 
But she did not give many years to the pursuit for which she 
had specially prepared herself; for in 1844, October 15, she 
was married to Robert Adams, of Fall River, and has ever 
since made that place her home ; but during four years she 
was a member of its school board, thus utilizing in some degree 
her normal school training. 

Three consecutive winters, beginning in 1840, Mr. Joseph 
Underwood taught school in West Dedham. He was a popular 
teacher, but soon turned his attention to the healing art and 
graduated at the Harvard Medical School in 1847. He was 
born in Charlestown, Nov. 25, 1820, the son of Joseph and 



OF DEDIIAM, MASSACHUSETTS 147 

Elizabeth Gibson (Tcnney) Underwood, and married Sarah G. 
Brown, June 8, 1849. He tau<^ht schools in Framinghani and 
Euston, and practised medicine in Cambridge, Arlington, and 
from 1(S()5 in Quincy, where he died, April 1, 1881. During 
the War of the Rebellion he did honorable service as a surijeon 
and suffered for a time the horrors of Libbj Prison. 

Miss Mary P]merson taught in West Dedham four summers, 
1840, '41, '42 and '44. She was the daughter of George and 
Nabby Emerson, born Oct. 21), 1811), in West Dedham, where 
she continued to reside till June 2, 1891, on which date she 
was found heinously murdered in her own home. The author 
of the horrible crime is said to have been saved from the sal- 
lows by the strange obstinacy of a single juryman, who insisted 
on a verdict of nmrder in the second degree. Miss Emerson 
left the bulk of her real estate, about $2000, to be held by the 
Town of Dedham as a Kelief Fund for the benefit of " needy 
single ladies out of the almshouse, whether Avidows or maiden 
ladies, whose age shall exceed fifty years," excepting in any 
year, a single instance of " a sick lady in need, though not 
fifty years old," the recipients to reside in the Third Parish. 
Miss Kmerson's will is in her own handwriting, a fair indica- 
tion of her self-reliant character. 

Bainbridge Mowry succeeded Mr. Reed as master of the 
First Middle School in December, 1840. He was the son of 
Caleb and Clarinda (Taft) Mowry, born in Mendon, July 25, 
1818, and received a name indicative of his father's admiration 
of a brave American commodore. His education was chiefly 
obtained in the Uxbridge and Holliston Academies. He married 
Emily Frances Carroll of Walpole, August 25, 1841. Having 
previously taught schools in Walpole, and having completed 
nearly three years of instruction in Dedham, he abandoned teach- 
ing and tried various kinds of business. Finally he engaged in 
the straw works, which business he continued twenty-nine years, 
and then relinquished it on account of deafness. In the years 
of his retirement he spent much of his time in reading, religious 



148 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

books generally having the preference. This employment made 
his last days very pleasant. But the same infirmity which 
compelled him to relinquish business pursuits, made him unfit 
to guard against the danger which threatened his life ; he was 
struck by a locomotive and instantly killed, October 11, 1893. 

For two winters, 1840-1 and 1841-2, Samuel S. Button 
had charge of the Second Middle School. He was extremely 
fond of singing with his pupils, and the visiting committee often 
had music crowded upon their attention when they would have 
been better entertained with prompt and well prepared lessons 
in the regular studies of the school. Mr. Dutton was afterwards 
during several years the agent for obtaining subscribers to the 
" Christian Witness," the organ of the Episcopal Church in New 
England. His success was remarkable. It was said that no 
man whom he found with two dollars in his pocket, or worthy 
of that amount of credit, ever failed to subscribe ; it was the 
only escape from Mr. Button's persistency ; what epithets were 
in consequence sometimes applied to the agent, it would be in- 
vidious to mention. This good, but singular man died unmar- 
ried about 1868. 

In 1840 Betsey Baker was employed fourteen weeks as a 
teacher in the primary department of the West Bedham School. 
The next year she was in charge of the Clapboard trees summer 
school, and for several terms of a later date. In 1850 the 
primary part of the West Bedham School was intrusted to her 
and continued in her care until 1859. Year after year her work 
received high commendation in the Town Reports. All this 
praise was well deserved. She was the daughter of Obed and 
Betsey (Metcalf) Baker, born in West Bedham, June 8, 1822. 
Her education, beyond that afforded by the grammar school 
near her home, was obtained at the Wheaton Female Seminary, 
Norton. She was married Sept. 16, 1861, to Mr. John Tucker 
of Watertown, where she spent the remainder of her life in a 
very pleasant home. 

In the winter of 1840-1, John Hackett of Holderness, N. 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 149 

H., who had been a student and teacher in Holliston Academy, 
taught 18 weeks in the Mill School. Afterwards he studied 
medicine with Dr. S. S. Whitney of Newton, and soon after 
receiving his medical degree in 1842, while assisting his teacher 
in a post mortem examination, was accidently exposed to blood 
poisoning of which he died after a few hours of great suffering. 

Martha May Guild tanght a private school thirty years, 
beginninsr before 1840, in the buildino; afterwards used as a 
vestry by the Congregational Parish of South Dedham, and later 
occupied by the Norwood Advertiser and Review. She was the 
daughter of Jacob Guild, baptized Sept. 18, 1802. Late in 
middle life she married the Rev. Caleb Kimball in Medway. 
*' He was blind and she assisted him in his religious work and 
in the preparation of his discourses, and w^as throughout her life 
a woman of great intellectual gifts, retaining her faculties to the 
last." She died at her home in Medway, Dec. 9, 1898, at the 
ripe age of ninety-six years. Eight of her pupils attended the 
funeral service. 

In the summer of 1840 Mary Jane Hawes of Walpole, 
instructed the Clapboard trees School. She was the daughter of 
Luke and Ann (Crowe) Hawes, born in Boston, August 30, 
1817. Her descent from Richard Hawes, who came to Dorches- 
ter in 1635, is in this line : Richard, Obadiah, Richard, 
Stephen, Benjamin, Luke. Her father dying when she was 
about six years old, she was cared for and educated in the home 
of her uncle, the Hon. Joseph Hawes of Walpole. She prob- 
ably taught in the Mill School of Dedham a few weeks in 1836 
and later was teaching in Sharon three terms. In 1841 she 
married Edward Dexter Bent of Dedham, where she lived a year ; 
afterward she resided in Northboro and Worcester, then re- 
moved to Fitzwilliam, N. H., where she died August 7, 1854. 
Her interment was in Walpole, Mass. 

Elizabeth Hawes Ellis was an early and acceptable teacher 
in the " Old Brick" now Balch School, probably before 1840. 
She was the daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Hawes) Ellis, 



150 THE SCHOOLS AKD TEACH:ERS ' 

born in Mcdfield in 1816. She improved her opportunities in 
the district schools of Medfield and Sharon so as to qualify 
herself well for teaching in Sharon West, and Medfield Centre. 
In 1843 she was married to Albert Stone, and has resided in 
Belvidere and Elgin, Illinois, her present home being in the 
latter cit}--, at 116 Cottage Street. 

Between 1840 and 1852 Lucy Maria Allen was much em- 
ployed as a teacher in Dedham, her last work being in the 
primary department of the First Middle School. Of refined 
^manners and affectionate disposition, her influence on children 
ivas excellent. She was the youngest daughter of Nathan and 
'Catherine (Fisher) Allen, born June 6, 1824. She died in 
Dedham, Dec. 12, 1852. 

Mary Catherine Hoffman, a native of Baltimore, Md., 
came to Dedham about the j^ear 1840 and established a private 
school which occupied rooms in the house of Jonathan H. Cobb, 
Esq., in whose family she lived. She was a brilliant and ener- 
getic young lady, and as a teacher highly efficient, especially 
in shaping the manners, tastes and habits of her pupils. After 
several years of marked success in Dedham, she opened a 
school in Boston. There she soon formed the acquaintance of 
a young Brazilian of good family, Joaquin Barbosa Cordeiro, 
who had come to Boston to pursue his medical studies. When 
he had completed his course in 1854 they were married and 
went to reside in Ceara, on the Northern coast of Brazil. In 
1862 the husband died, and Mrs. Cordeiro returned to Mas- 
sachusetts, desiring that her three children, a son and two 
daughters, should receive their education in New England. 
This she secured by the careful husbandry of her somewhat 
limited means, giving her son, Frederic Joaquin Barbosa, a 
collegiate and medical education at Harvard College, A. B. 
1881, M. D. 1884, which secured him a position as surgeon 
in the U. S. Navy. Mrs. Cordeiro, after her return, resided 
first in Roxbury, then for a time in Dedham, but later in 
Florida. From there she returned in broken health to Ded- 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 151 

ham, where she died August 1, 1891, aged 66 years and two 
months, and was buried by the side of her daughters in the 
Brookdale Cemetery. 

Frederic Auij-ustus Pratt OTaduated at Yale College in 
1840, and in 1843-4 taught the Westfield, or Burgess School, 
six months. He was the son of Phineas and Mary Pratt of 
Deep River, Conn., born Oct. 10, 1816 ; and when he taught 
in Dedham was a member of the East Windsor, Conn., Theo- 
logical School. He began his ministry in Muscatine, Iowa, 
where in 1849 he married Judith McCormick of Auburn, 
Fauquier Co., Va. He was next located in Scotch Grove, 
Iowa, laboring as a missionary among the Scotch Presbyterians 
from Lord Selkirk's settlement near Hudson's Bay, having 
charge of two churches 20 miles apart. Bronchial troubles in- 
terrupting his ministry, he became Principal of the Bellfonte 
Academy in Pa., and later he and Mrs. Pratt taught the first 
free public school in Portsmouth, Va.. In 1857 they removed 
to Dacota Co., Minn., and did missionary work in " The Land 
of the Dacotas" eleven years, establishing and supplying 
various churches. They now reside in Lyra, four miles from 
Mapleton, Minn., their P. O. address. They have three chil- 
dren : Dr. Alexis L. is a medical examiner in the pension 
office ; Augusta is a stenographer in the U.S. Treasury Dept. ; 
Ireneus is on the farm at home, the comfort and support of 
his parents. 

Samuel Reed Smith, remembered as the prompt, energetic 
and efficient master who taught in the Clapboardtrees School 
two winters, 1840-1 and 1841-2, was the eldest son of Lebbeus 
and Mary Bates Smith, born in South Abington, Sept. 2, 1818. 
He was educated in the public schools of Abington and Bridge- 
water ; and married Mrs. Eliza A. Swan Langley, Feb. 19, 
1857. After he relinquished teaching, he was for many years 
in the leather business, at first as book-keeper for Frost & Co., 
New Orleans ; afterwards as a member of the firm of B. F. 
Thompson &Co., Boston, retiring from active business in 1874. 



152 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

He resided in Boston and Winchester, and the last twenty 
years of his life in Arlington, where he died Oct. 1, 18i)7, at 
the age of seventy-nine years. 

William Bates instructed the Westfield School two long; 
terms of five and six months, 1840-1 and 1841-2, being one 
of those teachers employed by the late Kev. Dr. Burgess largely 
at his own expense. He was the son of the Rev. Dr. Joshua 
and Anna (Poor) Bates, born in Dedhani, Jan. 19, 1816. He 
graduated at Middlebury College, Vt., in 1837, under the pres- 
idency of his father ; completed three years of study at 
Andover Theological Seminary in 1840 ; was ordained as 
pastor of the (\)ngregational Church of Northbridge, Mass., 
Oct. 5, 1845 ; remained there till 1858, when he became the 
pastor of the First Congregational Church in Falmouth, where 
he died in 1859. In all these relations he showed himself able 
and faithful, and his name is still honored by his pupils and 
his parishioners. 

In 1841 and 1842 the summer schools in the Second 
Middle District were tjiught by Harriet Watson of Thetford, 
Vermont. She was the daughter of Joseph and Abigail Wat- 
son, and was also employed as a teacher in the public schools 
of Medfield, Medway, HoUiston and Reading. In Reading, 
Nov. 29, 1850, she was united in mtirriagc to Cyrus A.Thomp- 
son. In 1894 she was able to attend the sev^Mity-fifth anni- 
versary of the founding of Thetford Academy and was enter- 
tained in the very house in which she was born. She resides 
in North Woburn, and is pleasantly remembered by her sur- 
viving Dedliam pu})ils. 

Nancy E. Talbot was a teacher in South Dedham about 
1841 or 2. She was of Sharon, the daughter of Josiah, Jr., 
and Mary (Richards) Talbot. She married Champion Clark, 
and resided for a short time in Baltimore, Md. After his death 
she graduated in medicine at Boston, was joined in marriage to 
Amos Binney of Boston, and in 1894 resided with her daughter 
in Philadelphia. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 153 

In the summer of 1841 Celia A. Colburn had charj^e of 
the school at Walpole Corner. She was the daughter of Celia 
(Baker) and Ellis Colburn ; and on November 25, 1841, was 
married by the Rev. J. B. Damon to the Rev. Martin Luther 
Bickford, of Hanover Co., Virginia. Mrs. Biekford assisted 
her husband in a private school which he had established there, 
and soon afterwards they set u[) a scdiool for young ladies in 
Richmond, Va. It was contitmod several years with success; 
but her health made it advisable to return to the North. Their 
last days together were spent in Waltham, where she died. 

The Union School at Walpole Corner was under the in- 
struction of Henry Gay in the winter of 1841-2, as was the 
Clapboardtrees in 1847-8. As a teacher Mr. Gay was logical 
and thorough ; so say his pupils. The towns of Plymouth and 
Marlboro were also benefited by his faithful labors in the school 
room. He was the son of William King and Susan (Gould) 
Gay, born Aug. 1, 1819. An important part of his education 
was obtained at Phillips Andover Academy. May 2, 1847, he 
was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann French of West 
Dedham. Soon after this he engaged in the provision trade as 
more favorable to his health than the close confinement of 
teaching, but for several years ho was an efficient member of 
the Town School Committee ; yet he was not destined to enjoy 
a long life. H(; died May 20, 18G1, and Dedham lost a worthy 
and highly esteemed citizen. 

In the winter of 1841-2 the Mill School was instructed by 
L. Allen Kingsbury of Needham, now Wellesley. He is the 
son of Luther and Almira Kingsbury, born March 9, 1818, and 
had been educated at Holliston and Phillips Andover Acad- 
emies. II(^ taught in many i)laces, among them in Holliston 
and Day Academies till 1850. Of his character as a teacher 
we fortunately have the testimony of the late Dr. Alvan Lara- 
son, who wrote May 9, 1842, as follows: "Mr. L. Allen 
Kingsbury has been remarkably successful as a teacher with us 
the past winter. For good order and general proficiency his 



154 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

school has ranked among our best. He has given entire satis- 
faction to the committee, and I believe to the district. I con- 
sider him as possessing all the requirements of a good teacher, 
sufficient literary attainments, a talent for discipline and for 
communicating instruction, correct principles, and pleasant and 
gentlemanly manners ; and I can very cordially recommend 
him wherever a teacher may be wanted." Dr. Lamson's tes- 
timonial was approved by Rev. Dr. Burgess and Rev. John 
White, his associates in office. In 1848 Mr. Kingsbury mar- 
ried at Needham, Miss Mary Jane Dix ; and in 1872, at 
Wellesley Hills, Charlotte M. Sawyer. He resides at Welles- 
ley Hills where he has always been active in town affairs, serv- 
ing on the school committee twelve or fourteen years. His 
ideas on school music were so well approved as to be given a 
place in the Report of the Massachusetts Board of Education. 

Sarah Pisher, who taught the Westfield School in the 
summer of 1842, was the youngest child of John and Keziah 
Fisher, who lived near the schoolhouse of that district, where 
she was born April 5, 1820. She was married to Timothy 
Smith Fuller, April 16, 1844, and spent a few years in the 
west ; but her health failing, she returned to the east and died 
in WestDedham, Feb. 25, 1874. 

In the summer of 1842 Anna Elizabeth Onion taught the 
West Dedham school ; in 1843-4 the Mill School, 38 1-2 
weeks ; in the summers of 1845, 6 and 7, the Westfield School. 
She is the daughter of Joseph and Philinda (Bills) Onion of 
Dedham and was well educated in the Dr. Burgess school. In 
1850 she was married to David N. Chase, and now resides on 
the estate formerly improved by her father, who occasionally 
taught schools in Dedham from 1810 to 1827. 

In the winter of 1842-3 Daniel Fisher Draper taught the 
Second Middle School sixteen weeks. He Avas the son of 
Deacon Martin and Sally (Fisher) Draper, born in Dedham 
June 10, 1822, and was educated at Phillips Andover Acad- 
emy. He was a successful dentist in Portland, Me., "ac- 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 155 

quiring a large property ; but during the later years of his life 
he spent most of his winters in Florida on account of his 
health." Me married Mrs. Mary Ann (Collins) Merrill, May 
1, 1847 : died Feb. 10, 1874. 

In the summer of 1842 Julia Kingsbury was the teacher 
in the "Old Brick," now Balch, School. The following 
winter Arthur G. Pierce taught in the same place. 

In 1842 Joanna E. Dana instructed the West Dedham 
School twenty-two weeks. She was the daughter of Lemuel 
and Hannah (Eamcs) Dana, born in 1822, and was educated 
in the Westfield School when the higher branches were taught 
there to such an extent as to make it almost equal to an acad- 
emy. She was married to Mr. John Mills of Needham, May 
24, 1862. Mrs. Mills was a person of considerable literary 
enterprise, and wrote a volume of "Memories and Poems," 
which was published in 1881. A few years before her death 
in 189B, she expressed to me the intention of writing some 
reminiscences of the Westfield School. Had she done so, the 
record would have been valuable and especially interesting to 
those who ejijoyed its privileges- 
Annie S. Rhodes taught in the North District of the South 
Parish in 1842. She was a student at Holliston Academy, and 
from the " Special Record" of that school, I obtain the follow- 
ing : "In 1847 she married Rev. Adin S. Boyden, A. M., 
and removed to Columbus, Georgia. For nineteen years he 
was engaged in teaching and preaching in that place. In 18(>6 
they made their home in East Barnard, Vt., where they resided 
in 187(5. Mr. Boyden was a member of the Legislature of 
Vermont 1872 and 1873." 

Edward Rogers taught the Westfield School six months, 
1842-3. He was the son of John William and Martha (Farrar) 
Rogers, born in Boston, May 27, 1822; graduated at Dart^ 
mouth College in 1842 ; read law with Charles Theodore Rus- 
sell of Boston two years ; at Harvard University Law School 
one year; practised law at Webster, Mass.,' 1845 to 1855 ; re- 



156 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

moved to Chicago in Sept., 1855, and died there June 21,1856. 
He married Charlotte Amelia, daughter of Col. William 
Barron at Norwich, Vt., Oct. 15, 1851. 

In the winter of 1842-3 Silas Morrison Blanchard tausfht 
the school atReadville, having graduated at Dartmouth College 
the summer before. He continued teaching four years at an 
academy in Hancock Co., Va., and two in Pembroke, X. H. 
He studied divinity one year at a Theological Seminary in Co- 
lumbia, S. C, and graduated at Andover Theological Seminary 
in 1849. Ordained in 1853, he preached at Chichester, N. H., 
'52-'57; Bath, N. H., '57-'58 ; Wentworth, N. H., '60-'66 ; 
Hudson, N. H., '67-'68. He was the son of Benjamin Blanch- 
ard of Windham, N. H., born March 9, 1820, and died in 1888 
at Hudson. 

John William Bacon of Natick, then a senior in Harvard 
College, was master of the South Dedham School in the winter 
of 1842-3. He was then twenty-four years of age and after 
his graduation taught for a short time in the English High 
School of Boston. In 184(5 he was admitted to the Bar of 
Middlesex Co. and practised law in his native town fourteen 
years, being a member of the State Senate from 1859 to 1862. 
He was appointed Chief Justice of the Boston Municipal Court 
on its establishment, July 2, 1866, and in 1871 he was made 
an associate justice of the Superior Court of the State of Mas- 
sachusetts. While holding court at Taunton he died suddenly, 
March 21, 1888, having completed faithfully and honorably 
the allotted term of human life. 

Benjamin Bird Fuller of Dover, having previousl}' taught 
in Sherborn, took charge of the Mill School Dec. 28, 1842. 
He taught it five months and began the next winter term : but 
two months later his health failed and he went home to die. A 
letter from him to a brother teacher, dated Jan., 1843, gives 
some interesting facts showing the character of his school. He 
had 55 pupils ; all studied arithmetic, forming five classes. 
These classes and a half hour devoted to writing by forty 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 157 

pupils filled the three morning hours. In the afternoon session 
all read in four classes, and all were taught spelling in three 
classes. In English grammar there were also three classes, and 
two in geography. He was also required to teach United 
States History, Natural Philosophy and Geometry ; and fifteen 
wrote compositions once in two weeks. Such school-teaching 
was no sinecure ; it was doubtless too severe a tax on Mr. 
Fuller's constitution. He was born in Dublin, N. H., Dec. 25, 
1822, the son of Ira and Hannah (Bird) Fuller, and was edu- 
cated at the Bridgewater Normal School and the Phillips An- 
dover Academy. He died in Dover, Jan. 15, 1844. 

Of the many private schools of Dedham the one of longest 
continuance was taught by Emily Charlotte Hodges, who began 
her labors as an assistant to Miss Hoffman in 1843, and soon 
after became sole manager of the school and continued it suc- 
cessfully till 1871. She enjoyed the patronage of many 
families and gave her pupils an excellent training for more ad- 
vanced studies. She is a native of Dedham, the daughter of 
Charles and Mary Taylor (Farrington) Hodges, and now re- 
sides in Boston. Many persons in Dedham have a grateful re- 
membrance of their school days under her faithful and judicious 
care. 

At the opening of the winter term, 1843-4, George A. 
Sawyer took charge of the First Middle School and held the 
position till the end of the summer term of 1844. He next 
taught a school in West Roxburv, probably till he became a 
teacher in the Dwight School of Boston in 1838, where he re- 
mained about three years. In 1857 we find him associated 
with Matthew P. Spear in the management of a Commercial 
School at 96 Tremont Street. A few years later he was in 
sole charge of such a school at 161 Tremont Street, Boston, 
having; his residence in Dorchester. From the Boston direc- 
tory of 1891 we learn that " George A. Sawyer, Teacher, died 
at 212 Centre Street, Dorchester, Oct. 27, 1890." 

Harvey Allen taught the Second Middle School sixteen 



158 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

weeks, at six dollars a week, in the winter of 1843-4. Careful 
inquiry concerning him has secured no additional facts. 

In the winter of 1843-4 Mr. I. A. Goodwin Avas the 
teacher in the South district of the South Parish. 

Aimer ia E. Fitz of Salisbury had charge of the Readville 
School two summers and one winter, 1843-4. She then at- 
tended the Normal School at West Newton, graduating in Jan- 
uary, 1847. Resuming her position at Readville, she was 
there in 1847, 8 and 9. Her work was highly commended in 
the report of the school committee, and a year or two later 
they alluded to her recent death. 

The Mill School in 1843 had Mary Ann Tinkham in charge 
of the primary department: in 1844 she was succeeded by 
Caroline R. Wiley. 

Three pleasant primary summer schools, 1843, 4 and 5, 
in West Dedham, were in charge of Mary Jane Fisher, the 
daughter of Jabez and Persis (Howes) Fisher of that parish. 
She was born March 20, 1826, and received her education in 
the public and private schools near her home in which the Rev. 
John White and other friends of education were much inter- 
ested. Her teaching is still pleasantly remembered, and the 
"Rewards of Merit" received from her are cherished memen- 
tos. She was united in marriage to Ezra Southworth Jackson 
in South Boston, June 14, 1866, and since that time has always 
resided at Forest Hills. She mentions the curious fact, that 
for her sixty-seven weeks of teaching she received one hundred 
fifty-seven dollars. 

When a student at Phillips Academy, Andover, in 1843, 
George Ellery Clarke came to teach the winter school in Mill 
Village. He also had charge of the East Street School two 
winters, beginning in the autumn of 1845. He was born in 
Needham, Oct. 30, 1822, the son of Lewis and Hannah (Kings- 
bury) Clarke. He graduated at Williams College in 1851, and 
at first devoted himself larofely to teachinc:, and the towns of 
Needham, Newton, and Falmouth received the benefit of his 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 159 

labors. In 1856 he married Achsali Shiverick of Falmouth, 
where he engaged in banking ; and from 1873 to 1889 was 
cashier of the Falmouth National Bank. In 1890 and 1891 he 
represented the First Barnstable district in the State Legisla- 
ture. In 1898 he resided in Falmouth. 

In the winter of 1843-4 the Readville School was in charge 
of James Parker Treadwell. He was the son of Captain Moses 
and Lydia Bowes (Parker) Treadwell of Ipswich, born June 
25, 1817. It maybe interesting to those who remember his 
infirmity to know that " when he was eight years old he was 
accidentally shot by a cousin, and it became necessary to am- 
putate the wounded leg." He was an uncommonly studious 
person ; and it is remembered by his pupils that he devoted a 
part of the school time to his own studies, and his late hours, 
devoted to books, sometimes disturbed the quiet of the house- 
hold where he boarded. He entered Harvard in 1840, but did 
not graduate with his class, being absent during the senior 
year because he had published in his junior year contrary to 
the expressed wishes of the Faculty an edition of a poem 
styled "The Rebelliad." Subsequently, however, he received 
his degree as of the class of 1844. Admitted to the Suffolk 
Bar in 1850, he went to California in 1852, and there in the 
practice of the law attained distinction ; and partly by this 
practice, partly by transactions in real estate, amassed a large 
fortune. He died Dec. 27, 1884, leaving a widow, two sons 
and three daughters. 

John Dexter Sherman of South Lincoln taught in the 
First Middle School the autumn term of 1843, having been rec- 
ommended by his predecessor, Mr. Mowry, who had known 
him at Holliston Academy. He was the son of John and Lucy 
(Baker) Sherman of Lincoln, born March 22, 1810. He 
taught schools in Lincoln, Sudbury, Waltham and Watertown ; 
and finally devoted himself to agricultural pursuits in his native 
town. He never married, but devoted himself largely to the 
welfare of other men's families by twenty-five years of ap- 



160 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

proved service as Town School Committee. His fellow citizens 
showed their faith in his fidelity and honesty by choosing him 
their collector of taxes for the same length of time, from 1852 
to 1877. Mr. Sherman died Feb. 2, 1892. 

In the smiimer of 1843 Frances Maria Baker began her 
work as a teacher in the Westfield District. She continued to 
teach in the primary department of the Second Middle in the 
winter of 1843-4 ; in the West School of Dover, summer of 
1844; then in the Second Middle again till 1849. She then 
spent a year at the West Newton Normal School under the in- 
struction of the Rev. Cyrus Pierce. The summer of 1850 she 
taught in Attleboro ; then a year in the First Middle primar}'- ; 
and another year, 1860-1, in South Dedham. Her last and 
longest term of service was in the Grammar department of the 
Second Middle District, from 1862 till June, 1875. In all her 
schools Miss Baker secured cheerful and effective study, and 
her pupils are always ready to express their gratitude for her 
thorough instruction. She is the daughter of John and Patty 
Ellis Baker, her father having been for nine years Sheriff of 
Norfolk County. She resides in Dedham in the house where 
her father lived, and which has been her home since 1830. 

Two summer terms, 1843 and 1844, the West Dedham 
Grammar School was instructed by Caroline Partridge whose 
pleasant memory is still cherished by her pupils. She was 
born in Sherborn, June 16, 1819, the daughter of Henry and 
Anna (Babcock) Partridge, her father being of the sixth gen- 
eration from John Partridge of Medfield, her mother of the 
sixth from Robert Babcock of Milton. She was united in mar- 
riage to the Rev. Daniel W. Stevens, Unitarian clergyman, of 
Mansfield ; and died Dec. 28, 1849. Her monument is in 
Medfield, and bears this inscription: "Vera amicitia est 
sempiterna." 

In 1843 Eliza Ann Richards taught in the Second Middle 
School twenty-nine weeks prior to Sept. 17. At that date she 
left her school on account of illness and died Oct. 17 in her 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 161 

twenty-first year. She was the daughter of Lemuel and Eliza 
(Lyon) Richards, born Feb. 11, 1823. The circumstances of 
her early death awakened much public sympathy as well as 
private grief. 

Gustavus Adolphus Somerby was in charge of the West 
Dedham School during the winter of 1844-5. He was the son 
of Samuel and Hannah (George) Somerby of Newbury, Mass., 
and studied his profession with Judge Edward Mellen of Way- 
land, where he practised law till 1852. He then removed to 
Waltham and for six years more held his position amid the 
powerful rivalry of the Middlesex bar which at that day in- 
cluded men whom it required courage as well as knoAvledge of 
the law to encounter. In 1858 he opened an office in Boston 
where he soon became one of the strongest criminal lawyers of 
the time ; but in achieving his marvelous success, he overtasked 
his strength and ruined his health. He died at South Fram- 
ingham, July 24, 1879. 

Among tlie early Normal Teachers employed in Dedham 
was Elbridge Clapp, who taught in the Readville District three 
successive winters beginning in 1844. He is the son of Sam- 
uel and Abigail (Paul) Clapp, born in Sharon and educated in 
the public schools of that town, in Wrentham Academy, and 
the Bridge water Normal School. He was a successful teacher; 
but evidentl}'^ preferred other business and soon engaged in 
trade, first in West Dedham and a little later in Quincy, of 
which city he is now a resident. In 1849, Sept. 5, Mr. Clapp 
was united in marriage to Miss Martha Hewins of Sharon. 

William H. Hews was master of the South Dedham 
School two winters, 1843-4 and 1844-5. Another teacher, 
name not given, is said to have begun the term of 1844-5, 
which Mr. Hews completed to the entire satisfaction of the 
committee. 

On the twenty-eighth day of March, 1844, Humphrey 
Webster received of Mr. James Griggs, Com. and Treas., 100 
dollars for teaching the Second Middle School four months. 



1(32 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEKS 

He was the son of Matthew P. and Nancy (Calef) Webster, 
born in Salisbury, New Hampshire, Feb. 19, 1821. As his 
birthplace indicates, he was said to be a relative of the Hon. 
Daniel Webster. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1844, 
and continued to teach in the towns of Springfield and Worces- 
ter. He married Eliza Hamilton, the daughter of Lucius A. 
Emery of West Newbmy, Nov. 29, 1853. He soon after re- 
moved to Maborn, North Carolina, where he had a plantation 
when the War of the Rebellion broke out. He died in 1866. 
His relation to the Hon. Daniel Webster is thus described by 
C. C. Webster of Salisbury Heights, N. H. : "Humphrey 
was the son of Matthew C, the son of Humphrey, the son of 
John, the cousin of Ebenezer, the father of Hon. Daniel." 

Soon after graduating at Harvard College in 1844, Charles 
James Capen began to teach as master of the First Middle 
School. In 1849 he opened a private High and Classical School 
on Church Street. Two years later, 1851, at a considerable 
pecuniary sacrifice he relinquished this enterprise, to accept the 
first mastership of the Dedham High School ; and after one 
year's service in this position he was appointed Usher in the 
Boston Latin School where he had been fitted for college. He 
became Sub-master in 1867, and Master in 1870. Since enter- 
ing upon his work of instruction in Boston, he has not been 
absent from a single session on account of any disability ; or 
even tardy, unless detained by delays of the rail-cars. To fitly 
describe the quality of his school work would be useless, even 
were it possible ; thousands will never forget it, or fail to 
appreciate it. During all this, more than half a century of 
teaching in schools, he has been a devotee of music, and has 
never refused his services when they have been sought by 
friendship or charity. He has been his own teacher in this art, 
never having " taken lessons " from any one ; but he has been 
himself a teacher of the piano and organ from 1840 to the 
present time. At the age of sixteen he began to play the organ 
for Sunday services, and during his college course was the 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 163 

organist of a church in AYest Cambridge, now Arlington. He 
was organist and director of music for the Unitarian Society in 
Dedham nearly forty years, and organist for the Orthodox 
Society seven years ; for more than thirty years he has 
directed the music and played the organ for the Sunday morn- 
ing religious services in the Norfolk County Jail and House 
of Correction. Mr. Capen has always taken a commendable 
interest in public affairs and for over thirty j^ears has been a 
Justice of the Peace. He is the son of Rev. Lemuel and Mary 
Ann (Hunting) Capen, and was born in South Boston, April 5, 
1823. He was joined in marriage to Lucy Richmond Seaver, 
of Dedham, April 26, 1848 : and to Caroline Elizabeth Guild, 
of the same town, June 28, 1883. Residing in Dedham, he is 
still, 1905, punctual in his daily duties in the Boston Latin 
School. 

Jeremiah Brown taught the Clapboardtrees School during 
the winter of 1844-5. He was the son of John and Sarah 
(Gregg) Brown of Bradford, N. H., born Sept. 6, 1814; 
graduated at Dartmouth College in 1840 ; taught school at 
Marriott's Heights, Maryland, 1840-41 ; studied medicine one 
year with Dr. Ames of Bradford ; read law with Hon. Mason 
W. Tappan of Bradford about three years, devoting his win- 
ters to teaching in Massachusetts ; finished his law studies with 
Hon. Ezra Wilkinson of Dedham ; opened an office there ; after 
two years removed to Boston and continued in the practice of 
his profession till his death in 1881. 

Mary Jane Fuller taught the Walpole Corner School in 
1844. She was young and musical, and having detained one of 
the boys in the schoolroom during recess for some misdemeanor, 
she spent her time there in trying her voice in a new piece of 
niusic. At the end of the recess the little rogue said to her: 
"I don't think it's any punishment at all to stay in and hear 
you sing." Miss Fuller was the daughter of Calvin and 
Abigail (Rutter) Fuller of Dedham, and was educated chiefly 
in the private schools of Miles Gardner, Miss Caroline Whit- 



164 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEKS ' 

ing and Miss Hoffman. She was married to Dr. Joseph Eutter 
Draper, Nov. 22, 1855 ; resided many years in South Boston, 
and died in 1901. 

The primary department of the First Middle School came 
under the care of Maria Fislier, October 14, 1844 ; and in the 
autumn of 1846 she took charge of tlie intermediate and con- 
tinued it till May 14, 1848, when she began to teach in Boston, 
remaining there till June 14, 1851. Before coming to Dedham 
she taught in Easton, 1843 ; and in Canton, 1844. On June 
15, 1851, she was mari'ied to Edward William Davenport of 
Mendon, and resided there till 1856, when she removed to the 
town of Lewis, Cass Co., Iowa. Earnestly solicited by the 
settlers of that new town, she opened a private school and 
afterwards became the first public teacher there. Removing to 
Council Bluffs in 1864, to supply a great want, she entered the 
public school as teacher for a year ; afterwards taught private 
classes. In 1878 she became librarian of the Council Bluffs 
Public Library, resigning in 1894, but continuing a trustee. 
Mrs. Davenport was, from its organization in 1882, the presi- 
dent of the first Woman's Club of Council Bluffs, till her return 
in 1895 to Roxbury, Mass., her present home. She is the 
daughter of Alexander and Clarissa (Tucker) Fisher, born in 
Canton, December 6, 1826, and it is evident that her life has 
been full of efficient service for the communities in which her 
lot has been cast. 

The Westfield District School was under the instruction 
of Charles Grosvenor Goddard two winter terms of six months 
each, 1844-5, and 1845-6. He was the son of Asahel and 
Elizabeth (Grosvenor) Goddard, born in Petersham, February 
26, 1817; fitted for college at Monson Academy; graduated 
at Amherst College, 1841, and at East Windsor Theological 
Institute, 1849 ; was ordained at West Hartford, Ct., June 13, 
1850 ; preached 1850 to 1853 ; was principal of the academy 
at East Windsor Hill, Ct., 1854 to 1856; and preached at 
West Hartford, Ct., 1856 to 1872. In 1850 he married Anna 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 165 

N., daughter of Isaac Palmer Gates of Edwardsborough, C. W. 
Died at West Hartland August 29, 1872. He was the last of 
the teachers employed by the Rev. Dr. Burgess to give instruc- 
tion in the higher studies, such as are generally pursued in 
academies. 

In the summer of 1844 the south district of the South 
Parish was taught by Louisa Tolman, a native of Sharon. She 
was the daughter of William and Mary (Swift) Tolman, born 
Dec. 9, 1826, and was educated at East Bridgewater Academy. 
She first taught in Norton, summer of 1842, also in North 
Sharon, 1845 and 1847 ; then in West Stoughton, summer of 
1847. November 19, 1848, she was married to Charles Jones, 
of Stoughton, by the Rev. L. R. Phillips of Sharon. She re- 
sides in Stoughton where in a very pleasant interview the above 
facts of her history were obtained in 1899. 

Willard Pratt Plimpton was the teacher for * ' five suc- 
cessive winter terms of about five months each in Walpole 
Corner, commencing in 1844." This excellent teacher was the 
son of Willard and Eunice (Pratt) Plimpton of Foxboro, born 
May 7, 1821, and was educated in the common schools of his 
native town and in Holliston Academy. He was married to 
Clarissa Maria Wight of Med fie Id, Oct. 9, 1851. For about 
thirty years he was engaged in the wholesale millinery business 
in Boston. His residence was in West Newton, where he held 
many positions of trust, and in 1898 was Assistant Assessor 
for the city of Newton. He died March 23, 1905. 

The master's assistant in the First Middle School from 
1844 to 1846 was Harriette Whitney of Attleboro who grad- 
uated in Sept., 1841, at the Lexington (now Framingham) 
State Normal School, of which the Rev. Samuel J. May was 
the Principal. Miss Whitney was the daughter of Martin and 
Nancy (Orne) Whitney, born in North Attleboro, Nov. 23, 
1816. After studying at Wrentham Academy she taught in 
her native town and in Pawtucket, R. I. ; but her highest en- 
joyment of educational work was in Dedham, after a Normal 



166 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

traininof and the wise suff2:estions of Mr. Mav enabled her to 
direct her efforts more wisely. She was married to Otis Stan- 
ley of North Attleboro, Jan. 6, 1847. Mrs. Stanley carried 
her high estimate of education into her new home ; and at great 
self-sacrifice procured for her children its best possible advan- 
tages, securing for her only son the privileges of a full course 
of study at Brown University. Mrs. Stanley died at North 
Attleboro, Feb. 13, 1867, leaving a son and a daughter. 

About the first of May, 1845, John Wilson was appointed 
master of the Mill School, a letter of recommendation from 
Theodore Parker helping him to the position. He was a very 
quiet, accurate, patient, conscientious and effective teacher. In 
1848 he was promoted to the First Middle School and there re- 
mained till 1857. He then resigned for a position in Water- 
town which he held till 18G1, when he was placed at the head 
of the Prescott School in Somerville and taught there till 1883. 
He was the son of Samuel G. and Margaret (McFarland) Wil- 
son, born in Edgecomb, Maine, in 1810. He prepared himself 
for his special work in a Teacher's Seminary, and at the age of 
nineteen began to apply his ability in the district schools about 
Edgecomb, and afterwards in Canterbury, N. H. Before coming 
to Dedhani he had taught in Brookline and Roxbur}^ and in 
1836 had married Mary Hooper Smith of Roxbury. About 1890 
Mr. Wilson removed from Somerville to reside with his young- 
est daughter, Mrs. Grace Wilson Peebles, at Storrs, Conn., 
where he died Nov. 29, 1895, having been a teacher fifty-four 
years. 

In the winter of 1845-6 the master of the West Dedham 
School was eJulius Carroll of South Walpole. He taught in all 
fourteen winter schools, the first in Mansfield, several terms in 
South Walpole, and a select school in Foxboro. His academic 
education was obtained under Master Rice in Holliston, and he 
was justly esteemed a thorough and acceptable teacher. In 1844 
he married Ann Eliza Plimpton of Foxborough. Ceasing to be 
a teacher, he was for several years a book-keeper in the straw 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 167 

works of Foxborough ; then removed to Providence, R. I., and 
was a milliner there about twenty years. He was the son of 
Joseph and Asenath (Carpenter) Carroll, born in 1820, and died 
in 1893. He was fond of poetry and often exercised his talents 
in composing it for the entertainment or consolation of his 
friends. 

Henry Richardson Plimpton was master of the Second 
Middle School two winters, 1845-6 and 1846-7. He was a thor- 
ough and faithful teacher and is said to have obtained his posi- 
tion through the influence of his great uncle, James Richardson, 
Esq., " once a law partner of Fisher Ames." He was the son 
of Leonard and Sarah Turner (Lane) Plimpton, born in Med- 
field, Oct. 8, 1820, and after attending the public schools of 
that town studied under the direction of his relative, the Rev. 
James Richardson, Jr., at East Greenwich, R. I. Later he 
was a student at HoUiston Academy under Master Rice. Then 
he was a teacher in Wrentham and Walpole. Soon after 
closing; his school in Dedham he cno;a2f'ed with a brother in the 
" manufacture of machinery and furniture in Westfield ; a few 
years later they removed to Boston, and have been well-known 
there as manufacturers and dealers in fine furniture. He was 
a man of large inventive ability, and his various inventions 
were valuable." Mr. Plimpton joined in 1871 the Ancient and 
Honorable Artillery Company, an organization to which his 
emigrant ancestor, John Plimpton of Dedham, belonged as 
early as 1643. He married Mary E. Sacket, Oct. 14, 1856, 
and died in Walpole, Aug. 24, 1891, leaving one son and one 
daughter. 

Lucretia Jane Guild, the daughter of Joel and Lucretia 
(Phipps) Guild, taught the South District School of South 
Dedham two summers, 1845 and 1846. She was born in South 
Dedham, September 27, 1825, and was a pupil in the private 
school of Mrs. Martha M. Guild, and later attended the Hol- 
liston Academy. In the autumn of 1846 she began to teach 
in Brooklineand continued there nearly five years, which ended 



168 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

her experience as a teacher. In 1854, April 19, she was mar- 
ried to John Newell Smith, of Walpole, where she still resides, 
her four children all living to contribute to her happiness. 

Mary Dwinell Chellis had charge of the Second Middle 
School in the summer of 1845. She was of Goshen, N. H., 
born Feb. 13, 1826, the daughter of Seth and Myra (Gilbert) 
Chellis. Her education was received in the Lowell Hisrh 
School, where she completed the full course of studies. On 
the 17th of eTune, 1877, she was married to Stephen Francis 
Lund, of Newport, N. H., where she resided till her death, 
June 2, 1891. Many years of her life were devoted to author- 
ship, during which she wrote forty volumes of Sunday school 
and temperance literature, besides a large number of articles 
for periodicals, thereby exerting a wide and salutary influence. 

In 1845 a Miss Bispham had charge of the School at Wal- 
pole Corner, and her work received the approval of the Town 
Committee. 

Amos Fletcher Spalding was master of the West Dedham 
School during the winter of 1846-7. Pie was the son of 
Amos and Mary (Warren) Spalding, born in Boston, January 
12, 1821 ; prepared for college at an academy in Worcester; 
graduated from Brown University, 1847 ; from Newton Theo- 
logical Seminary, 1850; ordained, 1851; pastor in Montreal, 
Ca., till 1852; in Cambridge till 1856; in Calais, Me., till 
1860 ; then ten years in Warren, E. I. In October, 1862, he 
married in Brookline Caroline Elizabeth Sanderson, and in 
1872 removed to Norwich, Conn., and in 1876 to Needham, 
Mass., w^here he was pastor at the time of his death, which 
occurred suddenly at the Chelmsford depot, November 30,1877. 

In the summer of 1846 the grammar department of the 
West Dedham School was under the care of Eliza Ann Hardinof 
of Wrentham, the daughter of Col. Lewis and Irene (Harts- 
horn) Harding. She was well educated in the public schools 
and Academy of her native town, and for fifteen years was an 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 169 

assistant teacher in the Dwi^ht and Everett Schools of Boston. 
Her last residence was in Cambridge, where she died in 1885. 

The Walpole Corner School had for its teacher in the 
summer of 1846 Caroline Buckminster Clarke of Framingham. 
She is the daughter of Alexander and Mary (Bent) Clark, born 
Jan. 9, 1823. She was educated chiefly at Framingham Acad- 
emy : and, before teaching in Dedham, had taught in West- 
borough tvvo years, and in Framingham three. On the tenth 
of June, 1847, she was married to Zebina Gleason, H. U. class 
of 1834; and of this event and her subsequent life she says : 
' ' At the time of marriaofe I came as a bride to the house 
(forty-eight years ago next Monday) where ' I still live.' 
Facts of interest — to none but myself — grow out of a busy life 
— busy as a wife and mother ; yet, finding time to keep up my 
interest in literary pursuits : reading — writing a little — anxious 
always to retain all I have learned." The long residence thus 
pleasantly alluded to has been in Westborough, Massachusetts. 

In the summer of 1846 the Westfield School was in charge 
of Martha Ingraham Cotton, who had graduated at the West 
Newton (now Framingham) Normal School the September 
previous. She was the daughter of John and Caroline (Chitten- 
den) Cotton, born in Boston. How much of her life she de- 
voted to teaching, is to me unknown. She died in Boston, 
April, 1893. 

Ann E. Page began to teach the primary class of the Mill 
School in 1846. She graduated from the State Normal School 
in West Newton, her native town, in Sept., 1845. She left 
Dedham in 1850. In the catalogue of the Framingham Normal 
School, published in 1889, her address is given as "Mrs. 
Samuel Bent, Elmira, N. Y." While she was in Dedham the 
School Board often found occasion to commend her work. 

Maria Baker had charge of the primary part of the West 
Dedham School in 1846. She is the daughter of Obed and 
Betsey (Metcalf) Baker, born in West Dedham, July 15, 1826. 
Besides the privileges of the district school, she enjoyed those 



170 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEKS 

of a Female Seminary at Charlestown. In 1849, April 22, she 
was joined in marriage to Augustus P. Stockbridge. Her res- 
idence is in Norwood. 

The Clapboardtree School had three teachers by the name 
of Hemenway, two sons and a daughter of Windsor and So- 
phronica (Belknap) Hemenway, all born in Framingham, and 
educated at Framingham Academy : — Onslow Hemenway was 
born May 27, 1824, and graduated at Brown University; 
taught the Dedham School the winter of 1846-7 ; assisted in 
the New Bedford High School a few years ; married Martha A. 
Shepherd, of New Bedford, December 16, 1850 ; became prin- 
cipal of Newton High School, and so continued till his death 
on April 22, 1855, leaving a widow, who is now, 1899, a 
teacher in New Bedford : — Clarissa Cordelia Hemenway was 
born Nov. 27, 1825 ; taught in Dedham the summer of 1849 ; 
was married December 18, 1851, to Alden B. Marshall of 
Hebron, Me. ; and now, in 1899, resides in Newton : — Apple- 
ton Selwin Hemenway was born February 12, 1831 ; taught in 
Dedham, 1851-2; taught in the Westboro Reform School six 
months ; then was an assistant in the Rev. Samuel Worcester's 
private school in Baltimore, Md., about four years ; married 
Mary Elizabeth Patton of Baltimore, Feb. 5, 1856 ; soon re- 
turned to Framingham where he has since resided, devoting 
himself to mechanical pursuits. 

Terziah M. Beckwith was a teacher in the North School of 
the South Parish in 1846. 

Geography as a study came into the Dedham schools soon 
after Jedediah Morse published a work on that subject in 1784. 
About 1800 a smaller book was printed, accompanied by an 
atlas, about ten inches square, in which the United States were 
represented as consisting of the original thirteen colonies, with 
Vermont added ; the district of Maine figured as a part of 
Massachusetts. A copy of this atlas was preserved in my 
father's house till it fell a prey to destructive children ; it 
would be worth more than its Aveight in silver to-da}^ The 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 171 

next books on this subject were by Peter Parley and Olney. 
These Avere much more attractive and made the study interest- 
ing. Tlio lessons consisted largely in finding places on the 
maps which the pupils had before them in recitations. In that 
way they became very expert in the use of maps for locating 
towns, bounds of States, courses of rivers and mountain ranges. 
Memoriter work was not required. Then came Mitchell's 
Geography with its Atlas of highly colored maps, which made 
the contours of states and countries very distinct and conspic- 
uous. Also map-drawing was introduced which did much to 
prepare the way for other artistic Avork with pen and pencil. 

From 1845 to 1855 geography was generally taught in the 
Dedham schools by means of outline maps. Olney's, Mitchell's, 
and Pelton's were much in use. The latter had a key in which 
verse and rhyme were employed to fix names in the memory. 
With a rod the pupil pointed out towns, boundaries and nat- 
ural divisions as he recited the verses, and was able of course 
to locate them easily in answer to questions. On one occasion 
a member of the town committee took the rod to test the 
pupil's knowledge by pointing out some places he knew him- 
self. But in searching for them his rod accidentally drop})ed 
on towns, rivers and mountains, and the children shouted out 
their names Avith eager animation. This so confused the gentle- 
man that he laid down the pointer saying, " You know so much 
more about the map than I do, that I ought to be satisfied." 
An ingenious teacher could vary the map exercises in many 
ways, to interest the pupils and insure thoroughness. 

The school of the Westfield District for two winters, 
1840-7 and 1847-8, Avas well instructed by Elijah Carter Shat- 
tuck. He Avas the son of Stephen and Hannah (Carter) Shat- 
tuck, born in Marlborough, Mass., Aug. 27, 1820. Having 
pursued his preparatory studies in the Westfield District 
School and at Phillips Andovcr Academ3% he entered Amherst 
College in 184(5 ; but ill health obliged him to leave it a year 
later. He Avas married to Olive Colburn Wheeler in Berlin, 



172 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEKS 

Sept. 28, 1848 ; and spent the next three years in Utica, New 
York. Returning to Berlin, he taught a school there the 
winter of 1852-3, and continued to reside there, engaged in 
building and manufacturing ; also much occupied in town 
affairs, holding many important offices, acting as school com- 
mittee many years, representing his district in the legislature 
of 1876, and being postmaster after 1895. He died in Berlin, 
June 8, 1899, leaving a widow; and of his four children, two 
daughters survive him. 

In 1847 and 1848 Elizabeth Nichols Nye had charge of 
the summer grammar school in West Dedham. In the summer 
of 1850 she taught in the Second Middle ; then in the First 
Middle, second division, till 1852. She was a very efficient 
teacher, strong in discipline, and thorough in instruction. She 
was the daughter of Bonum and Pamelia (Abbott) Nye, born 
Nov. 18, 1824, in North Brookfield. Her education was re- 
ceived at a Young Ladies' Boarding School in West Brookfield, 
and at Williston Seminary, Easthampton. Before coming to 
Dedham she had taught schools in Paxton and New Braintree, 
and probably in other towns. Sept. 8, 1852, she was married 
in North Brookfield to Jonathan Chase, a native of Paxton, and 
went to reside at Manville, in the town of Lincoln, R. I., where 
she died March 16, 1875, leaving a husband, three daughters 
and one son. 

From 1847 till 1850 the primary department of the First 
Middle School was under the instruction of Emily Adams 
Eveleth, a very earnest and attractive teacher. She was the 
daughter of Henrj'^ Prentiss and Rachel (Adams) Eveleth of 
West Roxbury, where she was educated. Her first work as a 
teacher was in Dover. She died at her home in West Rox- 
bury, Oct. 8, 1850. 

Thouo-h he tauo:ht the school but one winter, 1847-8, there 
is still a pleasant remembrance of David Atwood in West Ded- 
ham. His quiet, reasonable ways made his work very accept- 
able. He is the son of David C. and Abigail Atwood, of East- 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 173 

ham, born April 20, 1821 ; and was educated at Holliston 
Academy, and the Bridge water Normal School. From 1848 to 
1853 he taught the Bunker Hill Grammar School, Charlestown. 
In July, 1848, he married in Lynn Lucy J. Bowler, who died 
in December, 1849 : in June, 1851, married in Upton, Electa 
J. Stoddard, who died in June, 1870: in May, 1872, married 
Achsah L. Maynard,who died in February, 1884. In October, 

1853, he became cashier of the Millbury Bank, but resigned in 
1872 : assisted in organizing the Millbury Savings Bank in 

1854, became treasurer thereof, and held that office till No- 
vember, 1897 : also held the office of treasurer of the town of 
Millbury thirt}^ years and is still a resident there. 

In the summer of 1847 the Second Middle School was in 
charge of Harriet R. Talbot, the fifth of her family that 
gave instruction in the Dedham schools. She was a native of 
Sharon, the daughter of Josiah Jr. and Mary (Richards) Tal- 
bot, and received her education preparatory for teaching in some 
New England Academy where she was well equipped for her 
work. She was united in marriage to Auo:ustus Forbes of West 
Newton, the place of her last residence. 

The lower division of the Mill School for two years, 1847 
and 1848, was taught by Almira French of Canton. She was 
the daughter of Thomas and Abigail Shepard French, born 
Jan. 3, 1830, and educated in the public and private schools of 
Canton and Roxbury. After leaving Dedham she taught in 
Roxbury and Dorchester from 1849 to 1857. She was a very 
acceptable teacher and is still pleasantly remembered by a large 
number of her pupils. She died in Canton, Sept. 27, 1861. 

Miss A. H. Rice taught in West Dedham a part of the 
summer of 1847. 

In November, 1847, Carlos Slafter took charge of the 
winter school of the Second Middle District, being then a mem- 
ber of the junior class of Dartmouth College, from which he 
graduated in 1849. The son of Sylvester and Mary (Johnson) 
Slafter, he was born in Thetford, Vermont, July 21, 1825, and 



174 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

fitted for college at Thetford Academy. He began to teach in 
1841 as master of a winter school in Fairlee, Vt. In Lyme, 
N. H., he taught the four succeeding winter terms ; also one 
term of a private school in the autumn of 1849. In the winter 
of 1846-7 ho was master of the Grammar School at Maiden 
Centre. In Dedham he taught the Second Middle School four 
consecutive winters and the summer of 1851. In September, 
1851, he took charge of the Framingham Academy and High 
School for a year : then returned to Dedham as master of the 
High School, which remained under his care forty years, 1852 
to 1892. His work as a teacher extended through fifty-one 
years. Aug. 4, 1853, he married Rebecca BuUard of Dedham. 
In May, 1865, he was ordained deacon in Trinity Church, 
Boston, by Bishop Eastburn ; and from Dec, 1867, till April, 
1871, served as chaplain of the Norfolk County Jail and House 
of Correction. While teaching he found leisure for some lit- 
erary work, preparing addresses for several public occasions 
and editing in 1889 a historical cataluffue of his school for 
thirty-eight years. For over twelve years he Avas a constant 
contributor to the Dedham Historical Register, writing more 
than 200 pages for its columns. Since 1892 he has published 
several historical discourses ; among them one read at the 
250th anniversary of the Dedham schools ; another for the 
seventy-fifth anniversary of Thetford Academy, Vt. In 1903 
he edited a volume for the Prince Society, for which he wrote 
a Memoir of Sir Humfrey Gylberte in fifty pages. His resi- 
dence is with his daughter at Rockford, Illinois ; but at present, 
March, 1905, he is in Dedham devoting his time to the publi- 
cation of this volume, in which he is learning much about 
book-making and still more about human nature. 

Nabby Ann Marsh taught as master's assistant in the First 
Middle School in 1848. She was the daughter of Daniel and 
Fanny (Hersey) Marsh, born in Dedham, April 10, 1832. She 
left Dedham to fill a position in the Washington School of 
Roxbury, which she occupied one or two years, then became a 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 175 

teacher in the Eliot School of Boston and continued there eight 
years with unusual success. She was married to Dr. McLaurin 
Furber Cook of Boston, Aug. 22, 1860, and died May, 1861. 

About 1848, Caroline Baker Colburn taught the school at 
Walpole Corner. She was the daughter of Ellis and Celia 
(Baker) Colburn, born in 1827, and was united in marriage to 
Keuben P. Davis, of Waltham, May 9, 1849. 

For a few months in 1848, Alfred Hewins was an assistant 
teacher in the First Middle School. The next four years he 
taught in the Washington, Roxbury ; then for thirty-four 
years as usher, sub-master and master of the Boylston, Bow- 
ditch and Everett Schools of Boston. He is the son of 
Nathaniel A. and Hannah (Hersey) Hewins, born in Dedham 
and educated in her public schools. In 1859 he was married 
to Carrie E. Sparrell of Boston ; in 1877 to Harriet C. Stone 
of Newburyport. Since Dec, 1886, he has been Treasurer of 
the Dedham Institution for Savings. For many years he was 
a member of the School Committee of Dedham ; was the first 
President of the Public Library, 1871 to 1899 ; Selectman, 
Assessor, Overseer of the Poor, three years ; is also a Director 
of the Dedham National Bank, Institution for Savings, and 
the Mutual Fire Insurance Company ; and for many years has 
been a member of the parish Committee of the First Church of 
Dedham. Such varied and acceptable services make com- 
mendation superfluous. Mr. Hewins has always resided in 
Dedham. 

The Second Middle Summer School of 1848 had two 
teachers. Augusta W. Mulliken of Lexington, a graduate of 
the Normal School at West Newton, taught one month. The 
term w^as completed by her Normal classmate, Marj^ Elizabeth 
Cotton of Boston, the daughter of Solomon and Susan G. 
Cotton, and now (1898) living at 28 Shepard Street, Cam- 
bridge. These teachers graduated at the Framingham (then 
W. Newton) Normal School in May, 1847. 

A part of the winter of 1848-9, and the entire winter of 



176 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

1849-50, the Westfield School was in charo:c of Arthur Latham 
Perry, a student of Williams Colleo:e which he'had entered the 
summer before from the Academy in Thetford, Vt. He is the 
son of Rev. Baxter and Lydia (Gray) Perry of Lyme, N. H. 
He graduated in 1852; and, after teaching in Washington, 
D. C, one year and serving his Alma Mater as Tutor a^year he 
was in 1854 appointed Professor of History Tand Political 
Economy in AVilliams College, which office he hold ''in active 
service till 1891, and is still Professor Emeritus with a salary. 
He has written much on the subject of the Tariff, advocating 
the principles of Free Trade with groat earnestness. His chief 
publications are three volumes on Political Economy and one 
on "Origins in AVilliamstown." L^nion College honored him 
with L.L. D. in 1874, and Doane College with D. D. in 1883. 
Dr. Perry was united in marriage to iNlarv Brown Smedley, 
August 7, 1856, in Williamstown, " her home and that of her 
ancestors since 1752 ": and " they have lived in the same house 
ever since that happy settlement" to the present year, 1905. 

In the summer of 1848 Mrs. Sarah Piper (Stevens) Cram 
taught in the South District of the South Parish, and the next 
two summers had charge of the school at Walpole Corner. She 
was the daughter of William Lacy and INIartha (Piper) Stevens 
of Rumney, New Hampshire ; was educated at the Mt. Holyoke 
Seminary; and married at Rumney, October 9, 1842, Artemas 
Brooks Cram, who died in 1845. By a second marriage Nov. 6, 
1851, she became the wife of John Elijah Bullard and resided 
in Medlield where she died October 19, 1885, having been a 
"patient, devoted wife, and a kind, loving mother." 

Caroline Frances Guild' had charge of the primary depart- 
ment of the Second Middle School two years, 1848 to 1850. 
She was the oldest daughter of Francis and Caroline Elizabeth 
(Covell) Guild, born in Dedham, Nov. 2G, 1829. She was 
educated in the schools of her native town and in the private 
school of George B. Emerson of Boston ; became assistant 
teacher of the Framingham High School in September, 1851, 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 177 

where she eontinued till the summer of 1853. I She was united 
in marriage to Ebenezer P. Burgess, M. D. Nov. 30, 1853 in 
Dedham, where she resided till her decease, January 3, 1859. 
In a memorial volume of the Framingham School we read as 
follows : " Mrs. Burgess was characterized by great sincerity 
and simplicity of manner. In a quiet way she exercised a strong 
and good influence, especially over the girls that came under her 
instruction. Her relations with them were like those of an 
elder sister, and they gathered around her at recesses like the 
younger children of a great family." 

In the winter of 1848-9, the West Dedham School was in 
charge of Sylvester Scott, as was also the Mill School from May 
7, to Aug. 3, 1849. He was born in Ashland, New Hampshire, 
the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Phillips) Scott, and grad- 
uated at the Westfield Normal School in 1846 or 7. He left 
Dedham in 1849 to become a teacher in that school, continuing 
there only one year. He married Lydia Noble Moseley of 
Westfield, and for a number of 3^ears they successfully con- 
ducted the Young Ladies' Institute, in Alexandria, Va. When 
the war broke out they suffered great loss ; came to Boston and 
he taught in the school for physical training, in charge of Dr. 
Dio Lewis. At Dr. Lewis's death Mr. Scott became principal of 
the school. Owing to ill health he removed to Beverly, and in 
search of health visited his old home in Ashland, N. H., where 
he died June 18, 1865. His widow died in Montana. A West- 
field correspondent says : "Mr. Scott was a Christian gentle- 
man and has many friends in this place." 

Mary C. Goodnough taught the summer school of Read- 
ville, 1849, with an ability highly pleasing to the Committee. 
Caroline Almeda Ilartwell of South Natick instructed the 
Westfield School in the summer of 1849, having previously 
taught the school at Walpole Corner. She graduated from the 
State Normal School at West Newton in September 1846. She 
married E. Dix Fletcher of Lowell where she spent her last 



178 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

days, her name being starred in the Normal School catalogue 
of 1889. 

The East Street School was instructed in the winter of 
1849-50 by Joshua Danforth Robinson, who graduated from 
Harvard College in 1851, and died in 18G(). As a teacher he 
was highly commended in the school report. 

Ellen McKendry was highly commended by the school 
committee as mistress of the North District of South Dedham 
in the summer of 1849. 

So was also Almira Tucker as a teacher in tlie same school. 
She was the daughter of William and Lucy (French) Tucker, 
born in Canton, March 4, 1828, and was married to George 
Henr}^ AVyman of Boston, April 10, 1860. 

Christopher Columbus Langdell was master of the Clap- 
boardtrees School during the winter of 1849-50. He is a native 
of New Hampshire, entered Harvard College in 1848, and left 
it in 1849 to become a teacher: but he graduated from the 
Harvard Law School in 1853 and practised law in New York 
City till 1870. That year he received the degree of A. B., as 
of the class of 1851, and Avas appointed Dean of the Harvard 
Law School. The LL.D. was conferred in 1875. He continued 
in the office of Dean till 1895, and won great distinction by 
reforming methods of legal study. His publications have been 
numerous and valuable. The improvements made by him at 
Harvard have been widely copied in the law schools of om* own 
country, and his influence has been felt in the universities of 
Europe. 

The North District of the South Parish had David Parsons 
Wilder as teacher in the winter of 1849-50. He graduated at 
Harvard, class of 1851 ; and from the Harvard Law School in 
1855. He received the degree of A. M. in course, and accord- 
ing to the catalogue died in 1872. The school committee 
commended his work. 

In the summer of 1849 and 1850, the Clapboardtrees 
School was in the care of Eliza Gardner, the daughter of James 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 179 

and Mary Gardner of Canton, whore she was born Nov. 23, 
1828. Removing early to South Walpole, in the distriet school 
there she was fitted for the West Newton Normal School, from 
which she graduated in September, 1847. She taught schools 
in Walpole and Taunton. In 1854, May 24, she was united 
in marriage to Major Andrew Washburn, and immediately 
after the war went with him Uj Richmond, Va., where he or- 
ganized the free school system of that city, in which work her 
former experience enabled her to participate both by actual in- 
struction and helpful advice. Her present residence is in 
Hyde Park. 

Lucetta Wood was mistress of the summer school in West 
Dedham in 1849, and was pronounced very successful by the 
Town Committee in their annual report. 

Tlie school at Walpole Corner had Augusta Morse as its 
teacher in the summer of 1849 ; she received jjigh praise from 
the examining committee. 

Cornelius Eliot Wood, master of the Clapboardtrees School, 
1849-50, was the son of Martin and Abigail (Willard) Wood, 
of Littleton, born Dec. 1, 1827. lie graduated at Harvard in 
1850; A. M. 1871 ; LL. B. 1855. Married in 1862, and has 
since, or till 1893, resided in Westminster in the practice of 
his profession. 

A little before 1850 Ann P^lizabeth Bullard taught two 
summer schools in Dedham, the first in East Street, the second 
in Readville. She is the daughter of Charles and Eliza 
(Paul) Bullard, born and educated in Boston, where she resided 
a large part of her life. Recently she has lived in Danvers. 

In the summer of 1849 Esther Clapp Hodges had charge 
of the Second Middle grammar school. She was the daughter 
of Spencer and Esther (Clapp) Hodges, born in Foxboro in 
1816. Her education, besides in the schools of her native 
town, was in academies at Newton and Wrentham. Miss 
Hodges died in her native town Dec. 14, 1901. 

Joseph Mason Everett was master of the East Street 



180 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

School the winter term of 1849-50. He was born in Canton, 
Jan. 6, 1828, the son of Leonard and Irene (Mason) Everett, 
and was fitted for Harvard College at Phillips Andover Acad- 
emy. He taught public schools in Canton and Bridgewater, and 
established a private school in Carrollton, La. He married first, 
Maria Louisa Price of Baltimore, Md. ; secondly, Esther Maria 
French of Canton. He was the chairman of the school com- 
mittee of Canton 25 years, and " was employed several years 
in superintending the schools." He was a deacon of the Uni- 
tarian Church, and was chosen to many offices in the social and 
benevolent organizations of his native town. During 30 years 
he represented the "Manhattan Life Insurance Co. of New 
York" as Boston Agent. He was active as a Freemason and 
was one of the founders of the Blue Hill Lodge. He died in 
Canton, April 2, 1886, leaving a widow and four children " to 
mourn his loss and cherish the rich legacy of his virtuous 
example." 

Following Mr. Scott in 1849, Seymour Lafayette Meade 
became master of the West Dedham school for three years, 
closing: his labors there in November, 1852. He then took 
charge of the Cofiin School of Nantucket, where he remained 
about thirteen years. He is remembered as a large, plain man : 
intelligent, affable, honest, industrious, and thoroughly devoted 
to his school duties. Some leisure hours he devoted to writing 
for the press, and by this means exerted considerable influence 
on local politics. He was born in Lanesboro, March 31,1824, 
the son of Seymour and Lucy (Mason) Mead ; and besides the 
education afforded by his native town and Worthington, he 
received the course of instruction then given in the Westfield 
Normal School. The last three years of his life were spent in 
Blissfield, Michigan, where he died unmarried, August, 1868. 

Beginning in September, 1849, Lynden Talcott Butler was 
master of the Mill School till Sept. 8, 1851. Intensely earnest 
and ambitious, he spared no pains to make his teaching 
excellent. After leaving Dedham he had charge of the East 



or DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 181 

School in Milton a year or more. His last work was in the 
Greylock Institute in South Williamstown. A near relative 
has written to me as follows : " He was troubled by a difficulty 
in hearing ; and physicians thought the defect was caused by an 
enlargement of the tonsils, and he consented to a surgical 
operation which proved fatal. The lady to whom he was soon 
to be married placed at his grave a broken column as a monu- 
ment to his memory." He was the son of Silas and Pamelia 
(Talcott) Butler, born at South Williamstown, where he died 
1853 or 4. 

Something more than half the winter term of 1849-50, 
Albert W. Farnsworth taught the Westfield District School, 
taking the place of Mr. Perry who was ill. He was the son of 
William and Catherine (Haskell) Farnsworth, born in Dedham, 
and graduated from the Bridgewater Normal School, December 
1, 1847. He taught schools in Webster and Bridgewater; but 
soon engaged in other business in Lynnfield, Portland, Me. 
and Orange ; then for several years was employed in the 
Boylston Bank of Boston ; and finally was teller in the National 
Bank of Maiden. He was united in marriage to Emily E. 
Foster, at South Maiden, now Everett, November 3, 1858 ; 
died in Maiden, March 10, 1875. 

For many years the name of John Nelson Stevens was 
connected with the schools of Dedham. He took charge of the 
Walpole Corner School in 1849, afterwards of the Everett 
School in South Dedham, still later the Avery and the Damon. 
Giving up teaching after an experience of over thirty years, he 
engaged in the dry goods trade at Readville, Hyde Park. He 
was the son of William Lacy and Martha (Piper) Stevens, 
born in Haverhill, N. H., June 22, 1816. Public and private 
schools of Rumney, N. H., and the New Hampton, N. H. 
Institute furnished his education ; but a naturally clear and 
vigorous intellect gave character to his teaching which was 
always thorough and void of all pretence. He was united in 
marriage to Elvira Catherine Cram of Rumney, March 1,1842. 



182 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Stevens had valuable experience as teachers 
of New Hampshire schools before coming to Dedham. He 
died in Hyde Park, November 12, 1891. 

Martha Belcher taught for a short time in West Dedham 
in 1849. 

Two winter terms, 1849-50 and 1850-51, the Readville 
School was under the care of Henry C. Nash. He formed a 
class in Latin which at the end of the second term had read the 
■first book of Virgil's Aeneid. At the close of the first term 
the " Committee found a class there in Latin which made a 
very creditable appearance." 

In the summer of 1849, Mary A. Dunlop was well 
approved as the mistress of the school in the South district of 
the South parish. 

Charles Sprague Lincoln was master of the South School, 
South Parish, in the winter of 1849-50, having previously 
taught in Sonierville, Watertown, Walpole and Orleans. He 
is the son of Christopher and Eliza (Williston) Lincoln, born 
in Walpole, N. IL, April 20, 1820. He prepared for college 
in his native town and graduated from Harvard in 1850. He 
married Louise E. Plimpton, of Southbridge, Oct. 1, 1856, 
and has been a member of the Boston Bar since 1854. Almost 
continuously since 1852 he has resided in the town and city of 
Somerville, where he has made himself a useful member of the 
community by discharging acceptably the many offices of honor 
and trust to which he was called by the suffrages of his fellow 
citizens. Forty-four years he has been an active member of 
the First Congregational Society ; for twenty-two years, a 
trustee of the Public Library. 

In the summer of 1850 Rebecca Bullard had charge of the 
school in East Street ; the next summer, of that at Readville, 
having been the master's assistant in the Centre School the in- 
tervening winter. In the autumn of 1851 she returned to the 
Centre School as teacher of the third division, which she taught 
very acceptably till the spring of 1853. August fourth of that 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 183 

year she was married to Carlos Slafter, and always resided in 
Dedham, her birthplace. She was the daughter of William 
and Rebecca (Daggett) Bullard, born Sept. 4, 1828. At the 
age of twelve years she began to keep a diary and continued to 
do so with slight interruptions all the rest of her life. She was 
a member of the Dedham Historical Society, and took a just 
pride in being a descendant, in the eighth generation, from 
William Bullard, John D wight, Nathaniel Whiting, Thomas 
Wight, Richard Barber, William Avery and John Kingsbury, 
all signers of the covenant formed at the settlement of the 
toAvn of Dedham. She died Jan. 16, 1901, very suddenly, and 
apparently without any suffering. 

Martha Ann Parker of Lexington was mistress of the 
Readville School in the summer of 1850. She is the daughter 
of Isaac and Martha (Miller) Parker and a descendant of Capt. 
John Parker who commanded the minute-men on Lexington 
Common. She graduated at the Normal School in West New- 
ton in 1849 and taught two years in private schools in Penn. 
and two years in a Ladies' Seminary in Philadelphia. October 
28, 1855, at the house of her uncle, Theodore Parker, in 
Boston, she was married by him to William Welsh Dingee of 
Penn. She now resides in Racine, Wisconsin, where for sev- 
eral years she edited "The Wisconsin Citizen," a paper pub- 
lished by the the Wisconsin State Woman's Suffrage Association. 

Joshua George Hubbard was master of the Clapboardtrees 
School the winter of 1850-1 ; was the son of Elishaand Amelia 
(Turner) Hubbard, born in Franklin, December 31, 1828 ; 
was educated in the public schools and academy of his native 
town. He taught schools in Med way, Methuen and Beverly; 
was married to Chloe Emily Farrington, at Franklin, Aug. 15, 
1850, being then a member of the school committee. Soon 
after this he managed for a time a boarding house in Boston, 
then a shoe store in Salem. For the last thirty years or more 
he has engaged in the lumber trade in Maine and New Hamp- 



184 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

shire, his present residence being in East Derry of the latter 
state. 

Two summer schools in Clapboardtrees District, 1850 and 
1851, were in charge of Helen Maria Boyden, the daughter ot 
Rev, Luman and Mary (Dudley) Boyden, born in Millbury, 
Oct. 12, 1829. The towns of Sharon and Needham employed 
her as a teacher, and in 1853 she began her labors in the Boys' 
Graded School of Chelsea and continued there nearly fourteen 
years. In that town she Avas married to Thomas Warren 
Thayer, Oct. 21, 1869, and in 1900 resided in Cazenovia, N. 
Y. Mrs. Thayer has been able to indulge freely her love of 
travelling, and in 1889 visited the Paris Exposition and many 
of the cities of Europe ; nor has she neglected the interesting 
localities of her own country. To adopt her own words : 
" There have been clouds as well as sunshine in my life ; but I 
can say with the Psalmist, ' The lines are fallen to me in 
pleasant places.' " 

The winter school at East Street, 1850-51, taught by 
Benjamin Payson Williams, was commended b}'^ the town com- 
mittee. He graduated at Harvard the summer previous, received 
the degree of A. M. in course and died in 1856. 

In 1850 the summer school of the Westfield district was in 
charge of Parthena Griggs Jones of Dover. She was the 
daughter of Hiram Walker and Inez (Griggs) Jones, born April 
21, 1834. Her education was received at the Charlestown 
Female Seminary and at the Rhode Island Normal School under 
Dana P. Colbiu-n. She taught in Lancaster and about eight 
years in the Boys' High School, Newport, R. I. In 1862 she 
was married to Charles E. Hammett of Newport, where she re- 
sided till her death in September, 1896. 

In the winter of 1850-51 the lower department of the 
Second Middle School was in charge of Adeline Newell Griggs, 
the daughter of James and Abigail (Newell) Griggs, born in 
Dedham, January 13, 1833. She was married to Roland Ray- 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 185 

mond in Dedham, November 6, 1855. She resides in Boston, 
Dorchester district. 

Henry Auo:ustus Little was master of the Westfield School 
the winter of 1850-51. He was a member of the class of 1853 
in Amherst College, but did not graduate. I have found no 
clue to his later history. 

The school on East Street, summer of 1851, was taught by 
Mary Smith Wilder, the daughter of Joseph Augustus and 
Mary (Smith) Wilder, born in Dedham, August 22, 1832. 
After attending the common schools of her town she spent a 
year at Pepperell Academy, and graduated at the Bridgewater 
Normal in March, 1850. She was married to John H. B. 
Thayer of Dedham, June 21, 1854. Since her husband's death 
in 1873 Mrs. Thayer has been a copyist for the Register of 
Deeds at Dedham. 

Catherine Eleanor Tucker in the summer of 1850 taught in 
the South District, South Parish. She was the daughter of 
Nathan and Catherine (Tucker) Tucker, born in Milton, Jan. 
23, 1827 ; graduated at the Bridgewater Normal School August 
2, 1848. She taught school only two terms, resided in Milton, 
and died there April 19, 1886. 

The High School. 

In 1844 the school committee of Dedham recommended 
the establishment of a High School, as the statute of the Com- 
monwealth required, and this advice w^as repeated from year to 
year. There was a strong desire for such a school, but the 
opposition to it was stronger. Finally, in 1850, William S. 
Damrell, of Readville, who a few years later was chosen a 
member of Congress, declared his intention to bring a suit 
against the town for failure to comply with the law if at the 
next town meeting it did not make an appropriation for such a 
school as the law recjuired. Tliis probably determined the 
action of the town, and on the 12th of May, 1851, the town 
"voted to instruct the Town's School Committee to hire a 



186 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

buildino; and teacher and establish a Hig-h School accordinsf to 
law." Also "voted that the sum of one thousand dollars be 
raised by tax for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a 
High School, to be expended by the Town's School Committee." 
Thus the controversy of years was settled, and the school was 
opened Monday, September 15, 1851, in Masonic Hall, Church 
Street, where it remained till September, 1854. It was then 
removed to the Town House on BuUard Street ; and in Decem- 
ber, 1855, found a permanent home in a new schoolhouse on 
Highland Street. This building w^as occupied by the school 
nearly twenty-two years. The present High School house be- 
gan to be used October 3, 1887. For a more detailed account 
of the High School, the reader is referred to the Historical 
Catalogue of the School, published in 1889. But it may in- 
terest its friends to know that previous to 1893, it had fitted 
thirty young men and women for college, most of whom en- 
tered without conditions ; and, with its present improved equip- 
ment, is able to increase its usefuhiess in that direction. In 
fact, since the school has been in operation, no parent has been 
" compelled ^^ to send a son or daughter out of Dedham to pre- 
pare for college or scientific schools. 

James Bradley Everett taught school in the south district 
of South Dedham, 1850-51. He was of Canton, the son of 
Abel and Thankful (Withington) Everett, and was educated 
at the Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H., and at the 
Bridge water Normal School, graduating in 1853. From 1851 
to 1859 he was teaching in South Scituate, Sutton, Taunton,. 
Hingham, Holmes Hole and Weston Hio^h School. In 1861 
he received the degree of M. D. from Dartmouth College ; and 
on Jan. 1, 1862, married Caroline Guild Newton of Grafton. 
He practised medicine in Falmouth ten years where he waa 
most of the time a member of the school committee, also super- 
intendent of schools. He is a Fellow of the Mass. Med. Society 
and trustee of the Public Library of the city of Everett where 
he resided and practised his profession in 1904. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 187 

The summer school in the Westfield district, 1851, and 
that at Walpole Corner, 1852 and 1853, were in charge of Mary 
Mehitable Smith, and hor success in those schools secured her 
a place in the Mather Primary, Meeting House Hill, Dorches- 
ter, where she taught from November, 1853, until September, 
1856. Her continued labors in this position would have been 
very acceptable; but on the 23d of October, 1856, she was 
married in West Dedham to Lucius Manlius Sargent Damrell. 
Since her husband's death Mrs. Damrell has resided mostly in 
West Dedham (now Westwood), and her knowledge of teachers 
has been very helpful to the author of this volume. She is the 
daughter of Timothy and Xabby (Colburn) Smith, was born in 
West Dedham, and educated in the good schools kept there 
fifty years ago, self-help being then greatly encouraged. 

Two summers, 1851 and 1852, the South School of the 
South Parish was well instructed by Judith Sherman Hodges, 
the daughter of Sewall and Judith (Sherman) Hodges, born in 
Sharon, June 26, 1823. After the common school she attended 
the Friends' School in Providence, R. I., and was teacher in 
Sharon, Foxboro and Mansfield. Jan. 1, 1855, she was 
married to Asa Stone of Providence, and resided in that city 
till she died there, May 1, 1893. 

One term of public and two of private primary school, 
1851 and 1852, in West Dodham were taught acceptably by 
Jane Baker. She is the daughter of Aaron and Eoxey (Whi- 
ting) Baker, born in West Dedham, Feb. 24, 1822. She said 
in 1898, "I have always lived in the same house in which I 
was born ; am the last of the family living." 

Beginning at Walpole Corner in the winter of 1851-2, 
Henry Chamberlain Rolfe continued to teach in Dedham, having 
charo-e of the East Street School till 1855, and of the Mill 
School from Sept., 1855, till April, 1856. He then left Ded- 
ham and taught in Dorchester and perhaps elsewhere, but 
finally engaged in trade and manufacturing. He is the son of 
Abiel and Eliza George (Dennett) Rolfe, born in Great Valley, 



188 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEKS 

N. r., Feb. 15, 1828. He fitted for college at New Hampton 
and Meredith Bridge, N. H., and studied a part of the course 
at Amherst College. At Townsend, November 23, 1856, he 
married Abby Frances Winchester. He was a member of the 
school committees in Townsend and Groton for several years ; 
was president of the Norfolk County Teachers' Convention, and 
is now a resident of Concord, Massachusetts. 

In the winter of 1851-2, the Westfield School was in- 
structed by Charles Edward Briggs, who had entered Harvard 
in 1849 from the Boston Latin School. He was the son of 
Eobert and Caroline (Morton) Briggs, born in Boston, April 
6, 1833. He graduated in 1853 and received his medical de- 
gree in 1856 ; became assistant surgeon of the 24th Mass. Reg- 
iment Aug. 12, 1862, and surgeon of the 54th Mass. Volunteers 
Nov. 24, 1862 ; was mustered out Aug. 20, 1865. He settled 
in St. Louis, Mo., the same year, and in 1869 was united in 
marriage to Rebekah Whittaker of St. Louis. For many years 
Dr. Briggs was a member of Christ Church Cathedral Parish 
of St. Louis, and in 1869 was appointed a professor in the St. 
Louis College of Physicians ; later was connected with other 
institutions as lecturer and physician. He died June 17, 1894, 
at the Mass. General Hospital, leaving a widow, one daughter 
and three sons. 

Through the autumn of 1851 the Second Middle School 
was under the care of Wentworth Sanborn Butler, the son of 
Hon. Josiah and Hannah (Jenness) Butler, born in Deerfield, 
N. H., Sept. 30, 1826. He graduated at Dartmouth in 1848, 
studied divinity at Bangor Theological Seminary, also at Union 
Theological Seminary, N. Y. For many years, and up to 1898, 
he was a librarian, living at 67 University Place, New York City. 

Albert eT. Ingalls was master of the Second Middle School 
in the winter of 1851-2. He had been for a year or two a 
member of Dartmouth College, but he did not graduate. Later 
he was in business in Fitchburg, but finally died as a soldier in 
the war of the Rebellion. Socially he was very entertaining, 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 189 

abounding in wit and humor which often relieved the monotony 
of school routine. Visitors often found anmsement as well as 
instruction in his work, his queer remarks sometimes under- 
mining the firmest resolve to be sedate. 

Joseph Rutter Draper was in charge of the Readville 
School one winter, 1851-2; and of the Second Middle from 
April to November, 1852. His work was highly commended 
by the School Committee. After leaving Dedham Mr. Draper 
taugrht Hig-h Schools in Saxonville and Milford. He was the 
son of Ira and Eunice (Rutter) Draper, born in Wayland, July, 
1830 ; studied at Lawrence Academy, Groton, and graduated 
at Williams College in 1851 ; in November, 1856, he was 
united in marriage to Mary Jane Fuller of Dedham ; received 
the degree of M. D. from the Berkshire Medical School in 
1863 ; then enlisted and served three years as a surgeon in the 
army. At the close of the war he settled at South Boston and 
remained there with an increasing practice until it was ter- 
minated by his death, August 5, 1885. 

The Primary Department of the Centre School in 1852 
was in charge of Emily Lovering Wilson. She is the daugh- 
ter of Reuben Sumner and Lucia Narcissa (Mann) Wilson of 
Dedham, and was married to Ralph William Tucker, Oct. 9, 
1862, in Dedham, where she has since resided. 

In the winter of 1852-3 the school at Readville was in 
charge of Nathan Henry Chamberlain, a senior of Harvard Col- 
lege. He is a native of Sandwich, the son of Artemas White 
and Lydia Smith (Ellis) Chamberlain. In 1855 he married 
Hannah S. Tewksbury of Boston ; in 1870 Marietta Cleveland 
Hyde of New York. As a Unitarian minister. Rev. Mr. Cham- 
berlain was settled in Canton, Mass., and Baltimore, Md. ; as 
an Episcopal, in Birmingham, (]onn.. New York City, Mil- 
waukee, Wis., Somerville and East Boston. He engaged in 
literary pursuits, and in 1900 resided in Bourne, Mass. 

Erastus Worthington was paid fifty dollars for teaching 
one month as the assistant of Mr. Capen in the High School 



190 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

just prior to the examination in the spring of 1852. This was 
his only experience as a teacher. He was the son of Erastus 
and Sarah (Ellis) Worthington, born in Dedham, Nov. 25, 
1828 ; fitted at Attleborough Academy for Brown University, 
which he entered in 184ii, graduating in 1850; read law with 
his brother Ellis in Milwaukee, Wis., and with Judge Ezra 
Wilkinson of Dedham, and received LL.B. at the Cambridge 
Law School, in 1853. For a time he was the law partner of 
Hon. David A. Simmons of Roxbury ; from 1856 to 1858 was 
register of the Court of Insolvency ; then Trial Justice of Nor- 
folk County till January, 1867, when he entered upon his 
duties as Clerk of Courts for Norfolk County ; this office he 
filled for thirty years. He also performed during that time 
much efficient work for his town and his parish : his voice and 
his pen were alwaj^s at their service. He was married Nov. 
25, 1861, to Elizabeth Foster Briggs, and resided in Dedham 
for many years on School Street, and later on Chestnut Street, 
where he died January 20, 1898. 

One year from April, 1852, Ellen Harod Crehore was an 
assistant teacher in the Mill School ; then was two years a 
primary teacher in the First Middle ; next taught several 
months in Canton, 1858; after this, from 1858 to 1867, w^as 
employed in the Maverick and Mather schools of Dorchester ; 
then taught a year in Miss Hodges' private school ; finally, from 
1872 to 1874, she did her last work as a teacher of children at 
the Avery School, and in the same room where she began to 
teach in 1852. In September, 1874, she became a member of 
the School Conmiittee of Dedham, and as such served the 
town over six years. For more than ten years she was active 
in charitable work in the Industrial Union and Associated 
Charities, earning and receiving the deep gratitude of many. 
It is just to say that in all these fields her work has been 
duly appreciated by the residents of Dedham. She is the 
daughter of Jeremiah and Joanna (Dunbar) Crehore, born in 
Milton, July 1, 1835, and was a member of the first class 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 191 

entering the Dedbam High School in 1851. She now resides 
at Canton Junction. 

Augusta Crehore, sister of the foregoing, taught a private 
school in East Dedham about a year and a half, beginning in 
April, 1856. She is also a native of Milton, attended the 
Dedham High School, and afterwards Mrs. Benjamin Kent's 
School in Roxbury. Her present residence is at Canton 
Junction. 

In 1852 the school in Mill Village came under the instruc- 
tion of Charles Addison Richardson, who had previously taught 
in Montague over two years and a winter term in South 
Maiden. He was the son of Elisha and Harriet (Blake) Rich- 
ardson of Franklin, born October 9, 1829. He attended the 
Franklin High School, Holliston Academy, Bridgewater and 
"Westfield Normal Schools, and was also under the private in- 
struction of the Rev. David Sanford of Medway. He married 
Mary Jane Phipps of Westfield, May 3, 1852. Leaving the 
Mill School in 1854, he was in the book trade with John P. 
Jewett two years ; and on Jan. 2, 1856, entered the office of 
the Congregationalist as proprietor of one-fourth of the paper 
and manaofino; editor. His success as a teacher was remarkable ; 
and the prosperity of the Congregationalist while under his 
direction is ample proof of his editorial ability. He died Jan. 
18, 1891. 

Marie Louise Lathrop was the first lady assistant of the 
Dedham High School, holding that position from 1853 to 1857. 
She was the daughter of the Rev. John Pierce and Maria Mar- 
garetta (Long) Lathrop, born in New York City, and educated 
at Linden Hall, Bordentown, N. J., and at St. Mary's Hall, 
Burlington, N. J. Before teaching in Dedham she taught the 
modern languages in the Rev. Geo. D. Wild's School, Boston ; 
she left Dedham to teach the modern languages in the L^nion 
School, Schenectady, N. Y., and continued there till her mar- 
riage, Sept. 1, 1864, to Hiram De Witt Hall. She resided 
some years in Elyria, Ohio ; later near Des Moines, Iowa, 



192 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

where she died March 3, 1898. As a teacher Mrs. Hall was 
an enthusiast and communicated her zeal to all her pupils. 

Beginning at Readville April 9, 1853, Martha Maria Davis 
taught there and in the Averj School till 1884, with the excep- 
tion of a year in Franklin and SLjear and a half in Canton. She 
was the daughter of Francis and Betsey Converse Davis, born 
in Stockholm, St. Lawrence County, New York, and was edu- 
cated in the public schools of her native town. Teaching was 
her life-work, and in it she was most faithful and successful. 
For many years she made her homewdth her uncle, D. L.Davis, 
at Readville, where she died June 23, 1898. 

Cephas Brigham was a teacher about seventeen years ; in 
Montague, 1851 to 1853 ; in West Dedham, 1853 to 1861 ; 
and in Newton, 1861 to 1868. He then applied himself to the 
study of law and was admitted to the Bar about 1870. Accord- 
ing to the testimony of a friend, " he was a very successful 
lawyer with a constantly increasing practice until he received a 
fatal paralytic shock in 1887." He married Lucy E. Graves 
in North Leverett, May 12, 1846. In Westwood he is still re- 
garded by many as the ideal schoolmaster. 

Holmes Richard Pettee had charge of the school in the 
South District of South Dedham in the winter of 1854-5. He 
was the son of Ebenezer and Lydia (Hall) Pettee of Frances- 
town, N. H., born Oct. 13, 1831 ; was educated at the Acad- 
emy of that town and had there his first experience in teaching. 
In 1857, Oct. 31, he married Frances B. Adams in New Bos- 
ton, N. H. ; resided chiefly in Manchester, N. H., where he 
was a grain merchant twenty-five years. He was a representa- 
tive in the N. H. State Legislature, and died in Manchester, 
Feb. 21, 1892. 

Mary Ann Bullard taught the primary class of the Mill 
School in 1853 and 1854. She afterwards had charge of a 
private school in Dedham Village ; and in 1858 of the sunmier 
school at Readville. But she then yielded to the claims of her 
home and kindred and devoted many years to the care of her 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 193 

aged parents and invalid sister and brother ; all whom she care- 
fully attended through the days of their decline and dissolution. 
She is the daughter of William and Rebecca (Daggett) Bullard, 
born in Dedham, and now resides at the family homestead, 
corner of Milton and Readville Streets, Hj'de Park. 

The second department of the Mill Village School for ten 
months in 1855 was in charge of Louisa Content Richards, who 
had taught a year before coming to Dedham and continued 
teaching eleven years after leaving it. She is the daughter of 
Lysander and Content (Clapp) Richards of Quincy, and is now 
a resident of Washington, D. C, where she has been a clerk in 
the Life Saving Service, Treasury Department, for twenty- 
three years. In 1902 her P. O. address was Washington, D. 
C, 1217 10th St., N. W. . 

Jane S. Small first taught in the Mill School as assistant 
of Miss Richards in the second grade in 1855 ; was soon after 
put in charge of a primary class and continued to teach in the 
school till 1868. A member of the School Committee says, 
*' When sewing was introduced first into the Avery School and 
afterwards into others as an experiment, Miss Small was 
chosen special teacher of that branch and served acceptably till 
ill health obliged her to relinquish it." After a lingering and 
painful sickness her death occurred June 14, 1883. She was 
the daughter of Jonathan and Jane L. (Bain) Small, born in 
Dedham, November, 1835. 

Garcelon De Fonteney, a native of France, educated at 
Charlemagne College, Paris, taught the French language in the 
High School one year from May 17, 1852. He did faithful 
work, but his knowledge of English was too limited to give his 
efforts their desired effect. It even afforded some amusement 
at times. One day his class returned from the recitation room 
in a very gleeful mood. In answer to my inquiries one of the 
pupils informed me that M. Fonteney, in trying to explain that 
the serpent was used as a symbol of eternity, declared that 
** they use snakes for cimbals in heaven." 



194 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEKS 

In the winter of 1852-3 the school in the " Old Brick," 
South District, South Parish, was in charge of George Franklin 
Pettee of Francestown, N. H., the son of Abner and Polly 
(Dean) Pettee, born April 9, 1828. He was educated at the 
Francestown Academy, and before comins; to Dedhani, begin- 
ning at the age of seventeen, he had taught schools in Benning- 
ton, Francestown and Greenfield, N. H. ; and in Northboro, 
Mass. After leaving Dedham he taught in Truro, Mass., and 
again in Francestown, being a teacher about twenty years. He 
married Margia L. Hardy, Feb. 14, 1861, in Francestown. His 
regular occupation of farmer and land surveyor has been varied 
by official duties to which his townsmen have frequently called 
him. He was chairman of the Board of Selectmen seven years ; 
of the School Board, or Superintendent of Schools, twenty 
years ; Representative to the General Court, 1885 and 1886. 

The Westfield Winter School 1852-3 was taught by Phineas 
Allen, the son of Phineas and Ruth (Smith) Allen of Medtield, 
born October 15, 1801. While preparing for college he taught 
in Sherborn and Northboro, walking to Cambridge from North- 
boro, 30 miles to take examinations. After graduating at 
Harvard, in 1825, he taught in Lowell, Brookline, Concord, 
Walpole, Scituate and Provincetown, also in the Allen School 
at West Newton from 1860 to 1885, never missing but three 
days of school on account of sickness, until 76 years of age. 
Regularity, faithfulness and great modesty characterized this 
representative pedagogue of the old type, whose entire aim was 
to impart knowledge. Himself an excellent linguist, he taught 
seven languages. In 1828 he married Clarissa Fisk, and, dying 
in West Newton, May 25, 1885, left three sons and one 
daughter. 

In November, 1852, Henry Holmes Babcock began to teach 
the Sect)nd Middle School. In the autumn of 1854 he resigned 
and engaged in a grammar school at Newton. In 1860 he was 
appointed principal of the High School in Somerville and held 
the position till 1867. Then he established a Girls' Academy 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 195 

in Chicago, 111., and remained Principal and Proprietor till 
1880, when he became Associate Principal of the Atheneum 
Academy of the same city. He held this position till his last 
sickness in the autumn of 1881. He made a specialty of botany, 
and was professor of that branch in the Chicago College of 
Pharmacy. He was a member of the Chicago Literary Club ; 
a Director of the Botanical Gardens ; President of the Illinois 
State Microscopical Societ}'^ ; and at the time of his death was 
President of the Chicago Academj^ of Natural Sciences. He 
was born in Thetford, Vt., the son of Rev. Elisha Gulliver and 
Eliza (Hibbard) Babcock ; was educated at Thetford Academy 
and Dartmouth College; married, July, 1861, Mary Porter 
Lincoln Keyes of Somerville ; died in Chicago, Nov. 7, 1881. 
*' Noble, kind, pure and eminent in scholarship, his loss is 
irreparable to his sisters," so writes the youngest of them. 

Charles Gates taught the Mill School a year, resigning his 
position in 1852, and going to teach in New York City; at 
least it was so reported. 

A Miss Hewins is mentioned with high commendation as 
teaching in South Dedham in 1852. 

The same year, 1852, Miss E. T. Waterman taught the 
Readville School with like approval. 

George Wight taught a good school in the Clapboard trees 
district the winter of 1852-3. He was the son of Myron 
Wight, sometime resident in Mill Village : but the family soon 
removed to New York, and his later history has not been 
attainable. 

Emily Orne Spencer was the assistant teacher of the High 
School one year from Sept., 1853, having previously taught in 
the public schools of So. Reading and a private school in 
Pepperell. Leaving Dedham she was connected with the Han- 
cock School of Boston till her marriage in Lynnfield, July 19, 
1869, to Datus Whitaker Harris, and then went to reside at 
Birnam Wood, Arkansas. The last mail that was sent north 
at the opening of the Civil War brought the news of her death 



196 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

which occurred Aug. 3, 1861. She was the daughter of Judge 
Amasa and Sophia B. (Parker) Spencer, born Sept. 22, 1831, 
in McDonough, Henry Co., Georgia, and was highly educated 
in the schools of Salem, Mass. 

Sarah Ann Ellis taught in the South District of South 
Dedham two summer terms, 1853 and 1854. The School Com- 
mittee say, " Miss Ellis devoted herself to her work, and her 
work became her commendation." She is said to have married 
Ellis Guild of South Dedham. Their present residence has 
not been ascertained. 

Jeffrey Abijah Holmes taught the Second Middle School, 
1853-4, having previously taught two years : also taught sev- 
eral terms after leaving Dedham. He is the son of Hiram and 
Sarah R. Holmes, born in Shelburne, and there educated in the 
public schools and at the East Hampton Seminary ; was mar- 
ried Aug. 31, 1865, in Haydenville. He engaged in trade, 
and while residing in Clarksburg served several terms as School 
Committee, and in 1904 was a resident of North Adams. 

Mr. Dogget taught the school at Walpole 

Corner the winter of 1852-3. He is said to have married Mary 
A. White of Walpole and to be now residing in the West. 
Careful inquiries have resulted in no more definite information. 

From 1854 to 1856 the third division of the First Middle 
School was in charge of Abby Frances Winchester. She is the 
daughter of Henry and Abigail (Mcintosh) Winchester, born 
in Lunenburg, Jan. 1, 1834 ; attended West Townsend Female 
Seminary, and New Ipswich, N. H., Appleton Academy; was 
married to Henry C. Rolfe of Dorchester in Townsend, Nov. 
23, 1856, and resides in Concord ; has been president of the 
Middlesex County Women's Christian Temperance Union ever 
since its organization twenty years ago, and was in 1899 Supt. 
of Mothers' Dept. in the Mass. State Women's Christian Tem- 
perance Union, consequently spending much of her strength 
and time in charitable works. 

Anna Coverly Winchester, a sister of the foregoing, was a 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 197 

teacher in the Mill Village School two years, 1854 and 1855. 
She was born in Lunenberg, educated in "West Townsend 
Female Seminary and the Westfield Normal School, and began 
to teach in Townsend. In 1856, June 22, she was married to 
Newton Calvin Boutelle, and resided in Townsend, where she 
died August 18, 1862. 

For about three years, between 1852 and 1856, the Second 
Division of the First Middle School was instructed by Cornelia 
Shorey Guild. She was the daughter of Francis and Caroline 
E. (Covell) Guild, born in Dedham Nov. 26, 1834. She at- 
tended Mr. Capen's Private School several years, and after 
teaching about two years studied a year at the Wheaton Ladies' 
Seminary in Norton. On Dec. 11, 1856, she was united in 
marriage to Frederic Augustus Taft in Dedham, where she re- 
sided till her decease, June 22, 1899, leaving her husband, 
three daughters and a son to mourn her loss. 

After a course of study in the High School in which her 
work was thorough and such studies were chosen as would pre- 
pare her for teaching, Sarah Rebecca Bonney took charge of 
the Walpole Corner School in May, 1855. In March, 1856, 
she began to teach in the Centre School and was employed 
there till October, 1864. She then entered the Comins School 
in Roxbury, where she remained till 1871. Then she was 
transferred to the Sherwin School of Boston and taught there 
till 1885, when she entered the Hyde School, and with the ex- 
ception of two years taught till February, 1899. She is the 
daughter of Daniel and Cordelia C. E. (Coney) Bonney of 
Dedham, where she was born and educated. In 1887 she was 
married to Dr. Horace Wentworth of Boston, but about two 
years later returned to teaching. Beginning her educational 
work at the age of eighteen, Mrs. Wentworth has devoted to 
it more than forty years of her life. She resides in Boston. 

In the summer of 1855 Harriet E. Read was mistress of 
the South School of South Dedham. In want of other in- 



198 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

formation it is pleasant to say that her work was satisfactory 
to both parents and committee. 

In the autumn of 1854 Helen Elvira Pullen began to 
teach in the South Dedham School, second department. She 
was only 18 years of age, the daughter of Sumner Born and 
Elvira (Whiting) Pullen, born in East Winthrop, Me., and 
had been carefully educated in the private schools of Water- 
ville and Gardiner, Me., and by private tutors. She died at 
the age of twenty years, "the seventh week of the spring 
term," June 7, 1855. Says a correspondent, " She was very 
dear to her pupils, and to this day, after a lapse of 50 years, 
they recall her to mind with great love and respect." 

Juliette Dickerman was mistress of the East Street School 
in 1855. "By one of her pupils we are told that she was a good 
teacher, a resident of Stoughton, married and removed to some 
"Western State. 

Caroline K. Nickcrson began to teach in Dedham as mis- 
tress of the Clapboardtrees School in 1852 ; also had charge of 
it in 1855. In 185G she was employed in the Mill School as 
teacher of the second class and continued there till October, 
1857, when she went to Dorchester, teaching there about tlu^ee 
years ; then to Roxbury, and has taught in the same school to 
the present time, 1904.- She is the daughter of Luther and 
Esther Nickcrson of Orleans, Mass. 

A Miss Nash taught very acceptably in East Street in 
1852. Would that the record could be completed. 

About two years, 1853 to 1855, Adeline Stockbridge had 
efficient charge of the primary department of the South Ded- 
ham School. She was born in East Randolph, Dec. 28, 1823, 
the daughter of Nehemiah B. and Ruth (Porter) Stockbridge. 
After attending the Charlestown Female Seminary she grad- 
uated from the Bridge water Normal School, August 4, 1852. 
She first taught a school in North Bridgewater. She left Ded- 
ham in 1855 to teach the primary school on East Street, Boston, 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 199 

where she labored 16 years, and was teaching on the day of 
her death, Jan. 27, 1871, thus completing a most useful life. 

In the winter of 1853-4 Eliza G. Loring had charge of 
the primary school in the Second Middle District. She is the 
daughter of Jonathan and Eliza Ann (Fales) Loring, born in 
Dorchester in 1834. She attended the West Newton Normal 
School one year. Nov. 6, 1854, she married Albion Benson 
of Sumner, Maine, and is now a resident of East Bridgewater. 

Joseph Warren Pickering Carter from November, 1854, 
to March, 1855, had charge of the Second Middle School. He 
is the son of Benjamin and Hannah (Pickering) Carter of 
Portsmouth, N. H., born Sept. 27, 1828; graduated at Dart- 
mouth College 1849 ; studied at Andover Theological Seminary 
two years; taught schools in Winchester, Mass., Portsmouth, 
N. H., and Portland, Me., five years in all; then went into 
mercantile business in Portsmouth. He married Mrs. Harriet 
Dwight (Edson) Simpson Jan. 21, 1864. His places of resi- 
dence have been numerous ; he was at Los Angeles, California, 
in 1898, and is supposed to be still resident there. 

About two years, 1855-7, Abby F. Crocker had charge of 
the second department of the First Middle School. She was 
the daughter of Amos H. and Irene M. Crocker of West Ded- 
ham, born August 9, 1835. She was a student of the Dedham 
High School and the Rhode Island Normal. After leavins: 
Dedham she was for many years master's assistant in the 
Bunker Hill School, Charlestown, so that she taught 25 years 
in the schools of Massachusetts. In 1871, Dec. 7, she was 
married to George S. Smith of Maiden, where she resided till 
her death in 1899. 

Maria Fisher Phillips had charge of the Westfield School 
four summers, 1855-6-7, and 1861, and the town committee 
often commended her work. She is the daughter of Nathan 
and Hannah (Fisher) Phillips, born in Dedham, Feb. 6, 1835, 
and belonged to the class of 1852 of the High School. As a 



200 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

devoted daughter she was the comfort of her aged parents in 
their declining years and still made Dedham her home in 1904. 

In the autumn of 1855 Lucy Ann Brown had charge of 
the Second Division of the Mill School. The connnittee would 
have gladly returned her as a teacher, but her preference was 
for a different pursuit ; and the ladies of Dedham who were 
dependent upon her taste and skill for becoming attire would 
have objected seriously to the loss of her services. She is the 
daughter of Dr. John and Amelia (Bartholomew) Brown, born 
in Thetford, Vt., March, 1823. She came to Dedham in 1839, 
and still made it her home in 1904. 

For the winter of 1855-6 the school at Walpole Corner 
was in charge of S. E. D. Currier. In December, 1851, he 
graduated as from Methuen at the Bridgewater Normal School, 
but is said to have taught on\y this one term. He studied law 
and in 1897 was in the practice of his profession at 23 Court 
Street, Boston. 

William Wallace Colburn was master of the South District 
South Parish, during the winter of 1856-7. He was the son of 
Leonard and Mary Todd (Livingston) Colburn, born in New 
Boston, N. IL, Oct. 1, 1832 ; fitted for college at Francestown 
and Mount Vernon Academies, N. H. ; graduated at Dartmouth 
College, 1861 ; taught in Lawrence Academy, Groton, 1861 ; 
in Belmont, 1862; was principal of the High School, Man- 
chester, N. H., 1862-74; Springfield, Mass., 1874 to 1890; 
married Mary Elizabeth Parker of Manchester, N. H., July 13, 
1865 ; died at Springfield, Oct. 17, 1899. He was an in- 
fluential member of societies for mental and social improve- 
ment in Manchester and Springfield. 

Elbridge Parker Boyden was master of the Clapboard trees 
School in the winter of 1856-7. He has taught in Wrentham, 
Waltham, North Easton, Millbury, Bridgewater, South Wal- 
pole and Foxboro. Born in South Walpole Oct. 22, 1833, 
the son of James and Lucy (Clapp) Boj'den, he was educated 
at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H., and at the Bridge- 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 201 

water Normal School, and married Mary Elizabeth Boyden of 
Walpole June 3, 1S60. He was a member of Co. D, 43d 
Regiment, Mass. Vol. M., going to the war from Dedham. 
Residing in S. Walpole, he has held various town offices there, 
his business farming. 

In the summer of 1856 Mary Elizabeth Boyden was mis- 
tress of the Clapboardtrees School till the 18th of July, when 
failing health obliged her to resign ; and she never resumed 
teaching. Previously she had taught in South Walpole. She 
is the daughter of Harvey and Esther (Milliken) Boyden of 
Walpole, where she was educated and married to Elbridge 
Parker Boyden as stated above. She resided in South Wal- 
pole, November 21, 1904. 

During 1855 Nancy Maria Chamberlain was a teacher in 
the South Dedham School where she had been educated, chiefly 
under Mr. J. Nelson Stevens ; and after teaching one term in 
1856 she attended a private school in Lawrence. She is the 
daughter of Isaac Ellis and Nancy (Morse) Chamberlain, born 
in Hillsboro, N. H., July 5, 1838. After her school in Law- 
rence she made a home for her father and brother till she 
married John B. Page, Feb. 2, 1875, in Norwood, where she 
now resides at 397 Washington Street. 

The East Street School was thoroughly instructed by 
Frank Howard Shorey two winters, 1855-6 and 1856-7. He 
was the son of John and Cornelia (Guild) Shorey, born in 
Boston Nov. 2, 1837. He prepared for college at the Dedham 
High School ; spent two years at Dartmouth, and then two at 
Harvard College, graduating in 1858 ; and was admitted to the 
Suffolk Co. Bar in 1859. His constitution was not able to 
bear the tax which his love of study laid upon it, and his 
health failed soon after he entered his profession. He died in 
Dedham, January 24, 1862. 

In the spring of 1856 Frances Ellen Griggs took charge 
of the Readville School for a term of four months ; in October 
of the same year she began to teach the second class of the 



202 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

South Dedham School, continuing there till July, 1859. She 
had previously taught the Walpole Plains School from the 
spring of 1855 till September; then the Strawberry Hill 
School in Dover a winter term of four months, November to 
March. She is the daughter of eJames and Abigail (Newell) 
Griggs, born in Dedham Dec. 8, 183G ; attended the High 
School over three years, where her accurate scholarship was 
duly recognized ; and at a later date received the first prize in 
a public competition as the best speller in Dedham. March 7, 
1860, she was married to David Neal in Dedham, and now, 
after spending many years in her native town, resides in 
Seattle, Washington. 

Mrs. Harriet (Wales) Fletcher taught in the South Ded- 
ham School from 1856 to 1858. She is the dauditer of Samuel 
and Hannah (Kemp) Wales of Orford, N. H., born Dec. 30, 
1827, and educated in the public schools of Orford and at the 
Academy in Bradford, Vt. In 1858, July 4, she was married 
in West Dedham to Charles E. Morse. After his death in 
Dec, 1859, she " cared for his two sons until they completed 
their college course ; then in the Spring of 1874 opened a 
private school in Norwood and has taught continuously until 
the present time," 1902, her P. O. address being 880 Wash- 
ington Street, Norwood. 

Sarah Jane Alden began to teach in the Centre School in 
1857, having charge of the fourth class for a year, then of the 
second class for a year or more. She was the youngest daugh- 
ter of Francis and Sarah Stone (Crehore) Alden, born in Ded- 
ham March 17, 1833. Eelinquishing her work on account of 
failing health, she was released from her sufferings, borne with 
lovely patience, December 31, 1861. 

Beginning in June, 1857, Lauretta Wheaton Guild had 
charge of the fifth class of the Centre School nearly four years ; 
then for a year or two she was able to teach only a few days 
or weeks occasionally as a substitute. From 1862 to 1864 she 
was constantly employed. In 1868 she taught in the Avery 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 203 

and then returned to the Ames and taught till 1870, when she 
was obliged to relin(|uish school work altogether. She is the 
daughter of Dea. Calvin and Margaret (Taft) Guild, born in 
Hookset, N. II. ; attended the High School nearly four years, 
also a short term at Wheaton Ladies' Seminary, and still resides 
in Dedhani. 

The winter of 1857-8 Charles Whiting Carroll was master 
of the Westfield School ; the succeeding winter of a school in 
Lisbon, N. H. He was the son of Sanford and Harriet 
(Whiting) Carroll, born in Dedham, May 31, 1836. He at- 
tended the High School four years ; graduated at Dartmouth 
College 1859 ; was admitted to the bar, 1861 ; and married 
Lucy A. Farwell of Foxboro, July 30, 1861. He was com- 
missioned First Lieutenant of Co. F, 18th Reg. Mass. Vols., 
July 26, 1861 ; promoted Captain Oct. 29, 1861 ; participated 
in the siege of Yorktown, the Peninsular Campaign, and the 
second battle of Bull Run. In this battle, Aug. 30, 1862, he 
was mortally wounded, and died on the field tliree days later. 
In honor of him the Army Post in Dedham bears his name. 
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. 

The winter school at Walpole Corner, 1856-7, if we may 
credit the Town Committee, was "thoroughly instructed" by 
John James Dana, the son of William De Wolfe and Mary 
(Green) Dana of Perry, Me. He graduated at the Bridge- 
water Normal School Dec. 3, 1851 ; taught in Weston, 1854 ; 
South Scituate, 1855; Robinson, Me., 1861 and 1862: and in 
Boone Co., Iowa, 1870-71. He married Sarah Elizabeth 
Warren of Weston April 11, 1858; Mary Sophronia Gates 
of South Robinson, Me., Jan. 29, 1891. He is a farmer in 
Union Township, Boone Co., Iowa, where he has served as 
Township Trustee, Assessor, School Director and District 
Treasurer. Post Office address. Perry, Iowa. 

In the South Dedham School Harriet Allen was a teacher 
in 1856 and continued her work there till Feb. 9, 1857. She 
was the daughter of Louis and Achsa (Fisher) Allen, born in 



204 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Walpole July 25, 1838 ; was educated in her native town and 
in Springfield, and taught school for a season in Sharon. She 
died in Walpole, Oct. 19, 1859, in her twenty-second year. 

In 1856-7 Hiram A. Oakman taught a year in the north 
district of the South Parish. lie graduated from the Bridge- 
water Normal School in 1845 as from Marshfield ; is said to 
have taught six years and was a clerk in the Boston Custom 
House in 1876. 

In 1856 Lucy Lee Fessenden began to teach in an un- 
graded school at Montague, Mass., hoping then to make teach- 
ing her life work ; but at the end of her first term she was 
called home by illness in her father's family and did not teach 
again till 1873 Avhen she opened a private school in Dedham. 
She continued it twelve years, the patronage her school re- 
ceived being sufiicient proof of its excellence. She is the 
daughter of the Kev. John and Nancy (Baker) Fcsscnd6n, 
born in Deerfield, and attended the Dedham High School four 
years, 1852-1856. She still occupies the family home on 
High Street, Dedham. 

From 1856 to 1858 Lucy Ada Nye was in charge of the 
second class of the South Dedham School. She had previously 
taught in Keene, N. II. ; in North and South Abington, Mass ; 
and in 1853 and '54 in Virginia. She was the daughter of 
Apollos and Lucy (Kingsbury) Nye, born in Keene, N. H., 
Oct. 13, 1825 ; and was educated in the High School of her 
native town and Whcaton Ladies' Seminary, Norton, Mass. 
She died Sept. 14, 1858, at Walpole, Mass. 

Harriet L. Fales had charge of the fourth class of the 
South Dedham School, 1856 to 1858. She is the daughter of 
David and Nancy L. Fales, born in Dorchester, Nov. 18, 1836, 
and married Charles E. Barrows, Oct. 5, 1862, in South 
Dedham. She resides in Dorchester, Mass. 

The Clapboardtrces School enjoyed the instruction of 
Samuel Lankton Gcrould in the winter of 1857-8. While a 
member of Dartmouth College he had taught two winter terms, 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 205 

1854-6, in Marlboro ; and from Sept. 1856 to March 1857, a 
high school in Stow. After graduation in 1858, and while a 
member of Union Theol. Sem., New York City, 1858 to 1860, 
he taught in a private French school. He is the son of the Rev. 
Moses and Cjaithia (Locke) Gerould, born in New Alstead, 
N. H. July 11, 1834; married Lucy Abby Merriam of Mason 
Villiage, N. H., Sept. 20, 1860 ; became pastor of a Cong. Ch. 
in Stoddard, N. H., Oct. 2, 1861; obtained leave of absence 
for three years and became a sergeant in the 14th Reg. of 
N. H. Volunteers, Sept. 23, 1862 ; served as clerk in several 
courts martial, and left the service July 8, 1865. He is now 
a pastor in Hollis, N. H., having received the degree of D. D. 
in 1897 from his alma mater. 

The primary class of the Centre School, 1857-8, was in 
the care of Caroline Augusta Howard. Later she taught 
private classes in drawing. She was the daughter of Sanford 
and Matilda W. Howard, born in Augusta, Maine, Jan. 12, 
1837. Her education was chiefly in private schools of Albany, 
N. y., and there she graduated from the State Normal School. 
During the Civil War she was connected with the Sanitary 
Commission in New York City, and while there often enjoyed 
the hospitality of the poet, William Cullen Bryant, who was a 
kinsman of both her father and mother. Her writings, both 
prose and poetry, received the poet's commendation and 
occasionally appeared in his paper, the " New York Evening 
Post." She was active in establishing the Lansing City 
Library, Mich, which was originally the property of the 
Ladies' Library Association. Her residence from 1865 was 
in Lansing where she was devoted to literary work ; and at the 
time of her death, Jan. 12, 1873, she was a clerk in the office 
of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. A poem 
by her entitled " A Cheer for the Brave" may be found in a 
collection called " Lyrics of Loyalty." 

In the winter of 1857-8 the East Street School was in- 
structed by Benjamin Lovering Pease, a student from Dart- 



206 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

mouth College, where he graduated in 1859. He was a native 
of Meredith, N. H., the son of Noah and Betsey Ann (Pres- 
cott) Pease, born Nov. 4, 1833. He taught schools in Laconia, 
Wolfborough and Conway, N. H., and read law with the Hon. 
D. M. Cristie of Dover, N. H. He was a business man as well 
as lawyer and died at Oak Park, 111., April 9, 1890. 

Sarah Maria Chapman was mistress of the Clapboard trees 
School in the summer term of 1857. She was the daughter of 
Benjamin and Theoda Chapman, born in Cornish, N. PL, and 
educated in the public schools of her native town and at Mrs. 
Ely's Ladies' Seminary in Concord, N. H. July 20, 1872, she 
was married in Boston to J. Addison Marshall. Previous to 
her marriage for several years she held clerkships in Newbury- 
port and Roxbury. Her literary taste found occasional ex- 
pression in both prose and verse ; and the last twenty-eight 
years of her life she resided in Dorchester at 22 Alexander 
Street, where she died, March 2, 1904. 

In the summer of 1857 the Walpole Corner School was, 
in the opinion of the committee of the town, well taught by 
Miss E. M. Nickerson, the daug-hter of Luther and Esther 
Nickerson of Orleans. She married and resided in Boston. 

In the summer of 1857 the South District of S. Dedham 
had as its schoolmistress Mary Augusta Dean of Francestown, 
N. H., where she had been a teacher, and also in the neighbor- 
ing towns. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Jane (Todd) 
Dean and was educated in the public schools and Academy of 
Francestown. She was married in that town July 29, 1858, 
to Lewis G. Billings of Sharon, Mass., who died July 16,1871. 
She resided in Sharon till 1890 ; then removed to Somerville, 
where she died Oct. 15, 1902. 

In the winter of 1857-8 the South School of South Ded- 
ham was in charge of Henry D. Stevens till the 18th of January, 
when illness compelled him to resign and his decease is referred 
to in the report of the committee made at the close of the year. 

Erastus Brown was master of the same school after the 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 207 

resignation of Mr. Stevens. A correspondent says, "He 
taught country schools at intervals a good many years : the 
latter part of his life was mostly spent in Rhode Island and 
New Jersey; he died in Mansfield, May 31, 1893." At one 
time he was a market-man in Dedham and vicinity in partner- 
ship with the late J. Everett Smith. 

Chester Holbrook Comey, after teaching schools in Kings- 
ton, Taunton, Provincetown and Foxboro, began the charge of 
the South Dedham School in April, 1857, and so continued till 
July, 1863. After this for several years he engaged in the 
Life Insurance business with encouraging success. He resumed 
teaching in Arlington in 1869, and was emploj^ed for a short 
time in the Dwight School, Boston. But an agency of the 
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. was his principal 
business. He was born in Foxboro, Feb. 22, 1832, the son of 
John and Hannah (Robinson) Comey and educated at Pierce 
Academy and Bridge water Normal School, graduating in 1852. 
He married Sarah Dyer Rich in Provincetown, Aug. 27, 1855. 
For Ave years he w^as a deacon of the First Baptist Church of 
Cambridge, where in 1881, March 31, "he died as he had 
lived, an earnest, Christian man." 

Mary Frances Gragg commenced teaching as assistant in 
the Dedham High School, Sept., 1857, doing very acceptable 
work for five years. Then she held a similar position in the 
Roxbury High for six years. She was the daughter of Moses 
and Rebecca Newell (Alden) Gragg, born in Milton, June 30, 
1839, and was educated in the Roxbury Grammar and High 
Schools. In 1868, Sept. 7, she was married to Henry White 
Richards. For a short term she was a member of the Dedham 
School Committee. She died Aug. 14, 1880. 

Mary Jane Folsom taught in East Street District two 
summers, 1857 and 1858 ; in Readville three, 1859, 1860 and 
1861; in Westfield three winters, 1859-60, 1860-61, 1861-2. 
Teaching was her life work for fifty years, chiefly in district 
schools of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode 



208 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Island. One of her Readville pupils testifies to her great 
thoroughness. She was the daughter of Josiah and Abigail 
(Ham) Folsom, born in Newmarket, N. H., Feb. 10, 1809; 
educated in its district schools, Lebanon (Me.) Academy, and 
the Sniithfield Seminary, No. Scituate, R. I. The last years 
of her life she spent on the " old homestead" in Newmarket, 
dying there May 24, 1894. 

George Newcomb was master of the First Middle School 
from 1857 to 1859 and of the Mill School from 1859 to 1864, 
having previously taught in Quincy twelve years and in North 
Chelsea, now Revere, four years. He was born in Quincy, 
Nov. 8, 1814, the son of James and Lucy (Baxter) Newcomb, 
and prepared himself to enter college in Braintree and Derby 
Academies. Ill health preventing a college course, he devoted 
himself to teaching, at the same time doing much good work in 
behalf of temperance and other reforms, and was always active 
in the cause of religion. In 1864 he went to teach the Freed- 
men in Beaufort, N. C, and was appointed a superintendent 
of Freedmen's Schools in the South. In March, 1865, eight 
days after the surrender of Charleston, S. C, he opened the 
first negro school in that city. In 1867 he was ordained elder 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church South, Beaufort Circuit; 
and in 1870 was api)ointed Presiding Elder of the St. John's 
District, Florida. The same year President Grant, without 
solicitation, appointed him Collector of the Port of Beaufort; 
and while executing this oiBce Elder Newcomb died of yellow 
fever, Oct. 12, 1871. He was united in marriage, Jan. 27, 
1836, to Lucy Rand of Charlestown, Mass. ; she, two daugh- 
ters and a son were left to mourn the loss of one whose worth 
was widely known because his life was truly a series of benev- 
olent efforts. 

For two years and a half out of more than forty which he 
devoted to instruction, Oliver Francis Bryant served the town 
of Dedham ; first a year in the Mill Village School from the 
spring of 1858 ; then in the First Middle a year and a half till 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 209 

November, 1860. Having studied at Warren Academy in 
Woburn in 1848-9 and 1849-50, he taught winter schools in 
Wihnington ; then studied a year in the Bridgewater Normal 
School ; next taught two winter terms in Rockport ; in March, 
1852, began a year's work as principal of a boys' school in 
Wilmington, Delaware. In September, 1853, he entered 
Groton Academy for a year of study, and later spent two years 
in the "Teachers' Course" of Brown University. Being now 
suitably equipped, he gave the town of Canton two years of 
faithful service before coming to Dedham. In November, 1860, 
he joined the corps of Chauncy Hall teachers, and continued 
there till July, 1894, when he gave in his resignation. He had 
tauffht longf and well. He is the son of Oliver and Sarah 
(Walton) Bryant, born in Stoneham, June 9, 1827 ; married 
Minerva Richardson of Woburn, Aug. 19, 1856 ; and has made 
Woburn his home since 1866. 

Maria Amelia Brooks, from 1858 to 1861, had charge of 
the second division of the Mill School ; from 1876 to 1890 she 
was a teacher in the Public School, No. 2, of Elizabeth, New 
Jersey, making in all seventeen years of approved teaching. 
She is the daughter of Lemuel Augustus and Eliza Brooks, 
born in Boston Feb. 19, 1838 ; was educated in Dedham, at- 
tending the High School two years. In 1861, May 20, she 
was married to John C. Baker, who died in 1874. Mrs. Baker 
now resides with two of her four sons in the city of Franklin, 
Pennsylvania. 

During a part of the School year 1858-9 Abby Jane Ellis 
had charge of the fourth class of the South Dedham School. 
Later she taught in the Gridley School, South Canton, three 
years, 1862 to 1865 ; then again five years, 1872 to 1877 ; the 
Ponkapoag School two years, 1877-1879; and as assistant in 
the Canton High School one term, 1871. She was the daughter 
of William and Jane (Endicott) Ellis, born in Canton, April 
1, 1841, and was educated at the Bridgewater Normal School. 
She was married to George H. Snow in Canton, Jan. 1, 1865 ; 



210 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEES 

was Librarian of Canton Public Library three years, 1879 to 
1882, in which year she died on the ninth day of November. 

Hannah M. Lealand was a teacher in the Centre School, 
1858-9, of the primary division. She was the daughter of 
Charles and Caroline Lealand, born Dec. 10,1838, in Dedham, 
where she died Oct. 26, 1861. She received a diploma at the 
High School for the three years' course, her scholarship being 
excellent. 

From 1858 to 1863 Abbie Ellis Tisdale taught in the 
primary and intermediate grades of the South Dedham School. 
She is the daughter of Oileus Aurelius and Louisa (Harding) 
Tisdale, born in Walpole, April 1, 1840, and educated in the 
Walpole Corner and West Dedham Schools. Before teaching 
in this town she was employed one winter term, 1857-8, in 
the lower division of the North School of Medfield. She now 
resides in Worcester. 

John Oliver Winslow Paine was master of the Readville 
School winter of 1858-9. He is the son of Abner and Com- 
fort Paine, born in Charlestown, Maine, Jan. 16, 1838; edu- 
cated in Corinth Academy, Me., Charlestown Academy and the 
Dedham High School, entering Dartmouth College in 1858. 
He studied law in Bangor, Me., where he taught school, 1860- 
61; also in Oldtown, 1863-4. He entered the U. S. army as 2d 
Lieut., Co. D, 14th Reg. Maine Vols., 1861, was promoted 1st. 
Lieut. 1862 ; resigned on account of disability, 1863 ; re-enlisted 
and was Capt. Co. E, 14th Reg. Maine Vols., 1865, and served 
till close of the war ; was Provost Judge of the South District 
of Georgia, 1865; settled in Ottawa, Kas., 1867, and was 
Dist. Att'y. of Franklin County, Kas., two terms. He is now 
practising his profession in San Diego, Cal. Captain Paine 
married in 1869 Jane Price McKinley in Ottawa, Kansas ; in 
1886, Anna B. Crofts in San Diego, California. 

From 1858 to 1865 Mrs. Anna Maria (McNeil) Ingalls 
was a teacher in the Grove School at East Dedham ; later she 
taught in Germantown, Penn. She was of Scotch descent, the 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 211 

danghter of Amy and Jesse McNeil, born in Easton, Penn., 
where she was carefully educated. In 1852 she was married 
there to John Henry Ingalls who died before she began to teach 
in Dedham. For many years she resided with a sister in 
Philadelphia where she died March 16, 1900. Her character 
as a teacher was often commended by the school authorities. 

In 1858 Matilda Barker Lund was mistress of the Walpole 
Corner School; in 1859 she was a teacher in that of South 
Dedham. She is the daughter of William and Mary Isabella 
(Reynolds) Lund, born in Charlestown, Feb. 12, 1832, and 
was educated "at home, and in Bradford Academy, graduating 
in 1853." Since teaching in South Dedham she has resided in 
Boxford where she has made herself useful as manager of a book 
club ; director and purchaser of books for the Public Library ; 
and since 1894 as secretary of the Essex Co. Pomona Grange. 
Her P. O. address is West Boxford, Mass. 

From 1858 till March 1860 Lucy Tisdale was mistress of 
the Clapboardtrees School, having previously taught in Mans- 
field and Attleboro ; after leaving Dedham she taught several 
months in Stoughton. She is the daughter of Israel, Jr. and 
Elvira A. (Cutting) Tisdale, born in Stoughton, educated in 
its schools, at Pierce Academy, Middleboro, and by private in- 
struction. She was married Jan. 1861, in Attleboro, to 
Charles Henry Crummett. When her children were small, for 
their benefit she taught for four years a private school in her 
own home. She now resides in Hyde Park, Mass. 

In the winter of 1858-9 the Walpole Corner School was in 
charge of Edward Cowles who the winter previous had taught 
in the South District of Medfield. He is the son of George 
and Mary (Bradley) Cowles, born in Ryegate, Vt., and edu- 
cated in the Caledonia, Vt,, grammar school ; Dartmouth Col- 
lege, A. B. 1859 ; A. M. in Course ; M. D. 1863 ; L. L. D. 
1890. He was assistant surgeon and captain in U. S. Army 
1863 to 1872; Supt. and resident physician, Boston City 
Hospital, 1872-9 ; medical supt. of McLean Hospital 1879 to 



212 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

January 1, 1904. He married Harriet M. AVainwright at 
Hanover, N. H., 1865 ; and on April 9, 1904, his address was 
Warren Chambers, Boston, Mass. 

Sarah E. Fisher in the summer of 1858 had charge of the 
South School of South Dedham. In want of facts relating to 
Miss Fisher we quote from the report of the school committee 
as follows : " Under her kind, but firm, judicious and efficient 
management great advance has been made in point of order, 
studiousness and proficiency." 

Lucy Anna Calder was a teacher in the Second Middle 
District many years ; in the primary department from 1858 to 
1872, in the grammar department, 1872 to 1878. She began 
teaching in Walpole at the age of 18 ; then taught several years 
in the Pierce School of Brookline. She was the daughter of 
James and Anna Holmes (Baker) Calder, born in Dedham, 
May 6, 1835, and was educated in the Second Middle School, 
and three years in the High School. After teaching faithfully 
and acceptably twenty-five years she bore patiently the j^ears of 
weakness and decline, bidding a last adieu to the scenes of 
earth, Sept. 10, 1887. 

From April 12, 1858, to January 1888, the fifth or sixth 
division of the First Middle and later Ames School, was in the 
care of Mary Farrington Hodges, the daughter of Charles and 
Mary Taylor (Farrington) Hodges. Born in Dedham and 
educated in the public schools of the town, no one could have 
been more devoted to the children of the village as they passed 
in thirty successive classes under her careful hand. As she 
always guarded her health by daily exercises in walking or 
rowing, her robust form and cheerful faee during all these years 
were very familiar on the streets of Dedham and on the waters 
of Charles River. She died suddenly Jan. 7, 1888; and her 
friends and pupils claimed the privilege of erecting a stone to 
her memory in the old Village cemetery. 

From the autumn of 1858 to that of 1867 Isadora Bonney 
taught acceptably in the Dedham schools : in the Westfield 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 213 

District the winter of 1858-9 ; in the South District of South 
Parish, from the spring of 1859 to spring of 1860 ; then in the 
Centre School till the spring of 1867; then a term in the 
Everett School. In Sept. 1867, Miss Bonney entered the 
Mather School of Dorchester and taught there till March 1, 
1869, after that was in the Comins School of Roxbury till 
Feb. 6, 1871 ; then was transferred to the New Sherwin and 
taught there till September, 1884, when she resigned her posi- 
tion and went to reside at a home she had purchased in North 
Duxbury a few years before. She was the daughter of Daniel 
and Cordelia Caroline (Coney) Bonney, born in Dedham, 
March 8, 1840, educated at the public schools, attending the 
High School five years. She married Samuel O. Whitmore of 
Plymouth, Sept. 12, 1885. He died January 1896 ; she died 
in Dedham, January 1905. 

Harriet Everett Guild taught in the first Middle School 
1859 to 1861 ; South Dedham, 1862 and 1863 ; Walpole Cor- 
ner, 1863 ; and West Dedham, 1864 and 1865. She also taught 
a year in the Somerville High School. She is the daughter of 
Francis and Caroline Elizabeth (Covell) Guild, born in Ded- 
ham, Jan. 11, 1842, and received a diploma of three years at 
the High School. In 1883, July 12, she was united in mar- 
riage to William Kingsley Stockdale, and resided in Manchester, 
N. H. Mrs. Stockdale was Matron of the Massachusetts State 
Building at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago, 1893. 

From 1859 to 1861 Nettie Fossett taught the fourth class 
in the South Dedham School. Her work was commended ; but 
we regret to say that all other facts concerning her have eluded 
our search. 

From March, 1859, to March, 1868, Elizabeth Parkman 
Porter taught the second division of the First Middle, or Ames 
School. She was the daughter of George and Emeline (Ban- 
croft) Porter of Reading, and was educated in the public schools 
of Reading and at Warren Academy, Woburn, Mass. On the 
twenty-second of March 1869, she was married to John Laurie, 



214 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

and now resides in Jacksonville, Illinois. Were it possible to 
produce an instrument that grows more efficient the longer it is 
used, it would resemble Mrs. Laurie's ability to teach. A nine 
years' trial revealed no defects. 

Henrietta Caroline Cox after some experience as a teacher 
in Sharon and Walpolc taught in South Dedham from 1859 to 
1861. The daughter of George and Hannah (Drinkwater) 
Cox, slio was born in Walpoleand educated in its schools. She 
died there in May, 18(51. 

Albert H. Essex was master of the Readville School from 
the autumn of 1859 till he removed with his family to Newport, 
R. I., in the summer of 1800. His later history has not been 
learned. 

John Eaton AVhiting taught the East Street School one 
winter term, 1859-60, having in 1857-8 been master of the 
South School of Sharon. Ho is the son of Col. Eaton and 
Olive (Smith) Whiting of West Dedham, and was educated in 
the Clapboard trees District School, Dedham High, and Harvard 
College, A. B., 1862. In 1885, Jan. 12, he was married to 
Mrs. Elizabeth Carleton (Paige) Pease in Buffalo, N. Y. ; in 
1873 he was president of the Dedham High School Association ; 
in 1877 he published a volume giving occupancy of the Mer- 
cantile buildings of the city of Boston. The business life of 
Mr. Whiting has been devoted almost entirely to insurance, as 
Secretary, Inspector, Rating Clerk, or Manager. From 1865 
to 1904, he has been connected with Companies in Charlestown, 
Mass., Boston, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and New York. 
Since 1901 he has, to the present, March 20, 1904, been Rating 
Clerk at the New York Fire Insurance Exchange, residing in 
New York City ; his P. O. address, Mutual Life Building, 32 
Nassau Street, New York. 

Juliet Frances Sumner was a teacher in the South Dedham 
School about two years, 1859 to 1861, having previously taught 
in Foxboro, her birthplace. She is the daughter of Henry 
Harvey and Experience (Robinson) Sumner, born March 7, 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 215 

1837 ; studied at Hopkinton Academy, and graduated at 
Wheaton Seminary in 1855. After leaving Dedham to care 
for an invalid mother she opened a private school in Foxboro 
and later taught again in the public schools there. In 1871 she 
commenced teaching in the Felton School, Cambridgeport, but 
resigned in 1874, and on May 14 of that year was married to 
Thomas Lewis and went to reside in Cambridgeport, for a while 
carrying on a private school there. In 1882 they returned to 
Foxboro, where she was soon elected to the school committee 
and served as their secretary for nine years. 

Henry Hastings Kimball was master of the East Street 
School the winter of 1860-()1. He is the son of Isaac and 
Lucinda (Tenny) Kimball of Temple, N. H., born Sept. 1, 
1835, and was educated at Ipswich Appelton Academy and 
Dartmouth College, graduating A. B. in 1860. The part of 
his life devoted to teaching was divided as follows : A year 
in South Canton ; a year and a half in Newton ; and from 
Sept., 1863, to Nov., 1892, submaster in the Boylston, and 
master of the Lincoln School, Boston. He is now engaged in 
business and resides in Boston. 

The West Dedham Primary School from 1860 to 1865 
was well instructed by Annis C. Guild. She is the youngest 
daughter of Dea. Reuben and Olive (Morse) Guild, born in 
West Dedham April 14, 1842, and was educated in the West 
Dedham and High Schools, receiving a diploma for three years. 
In 1869, Feb. 10, she was united in marriage to Francis D. 
Hay ward, and now resides in Worcester, Mass. 

Sallie Bussey Cox in 1860 and 1861 taught in the South 
Dedham School. She was born in M^alpole, the daughter of 
George and Hannah (Driukwater) Cox, completed her educa- 
cation in the Walpole High School, and in 1866 died in 
Dorchester. 

Charles E. Fisher was master of the Clapboardtrecs School 
one winter, 1860-61. All other facts concerning him are 
wanting. 



216 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

The West Dedham School was taught by Thatcher N. 
Snow from 1860 to 1862. He had been the principal of the 
High School at South Reading. Some high school studies were 
taught by him, and his work was commended by the Examining 
Committee. In 1894 he was a resident of Santa Barbara, 
California. 

The winter school of Readville, 1860-1, was in charge of 
Samuel Hopkins Nichols, who had previously taught in West- 
minster. In 1862 he taught a high school in East Lexington ; 
in 1863 was master of a school in South Canton. He was the 
son of Rev. Samuel and Mary (Burdett) Nichols, born in 
Wakefield, N. H., and educated in the public schools of his 
native town, the South Reading High, and the Westfield State 
Normal. In 1856 he married Elizabeth G. Stow of South 
Reading, who died in Dedham, 1858 ; in 1866 married Sarah, 
dausrhter of Rev. Dr. Brown Emerson of Salem, where he died 
July 9, 1883. The last twenty years of his life Mr. Nichols 
spent chiefly as an accountant in Boston. 

In the winter of 1860-1 the school in Walpole Corner was 
in charge of James H. Stearns of whom I have no further 
knowledge. 

In 1860, '61 and '62 the Clapboardtrees, and in 1863 the 
Walpole Corner School, was in charge of Nancy Caroline 
Baker. She is the daughter of Lusher Gay and Elizabeth 
Palmer (Sauford) Baker of West Dedham, and was educated 
in the schools of her native village and the city of Worcester. 
She resided in Westwood till her decease. 

Elizabeth Norton Gardner in the summer of 1860 began 
to teach Dedham pupils in the Westfield School ; then for a 
year ending in March 1863 she had charge of the South School 
of South Dedham ; and in the summer of 1864 of the Readville 
School. Sharon and Canton schools received the benefit of her 
instruction ; the Shurtleff School of Revere was two years 
under her care ; in 1866 the fourth grammar school of Wey- 
mouth ; and in 1870 a boys' division of the Bunker Hill School 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 217 

of Charlestown was taught by her. Sometimes instead of 
teaching in the public schools she has instructed private classes 
in the German language. She is the daughter of William 
Norton and Elizabeth French (Adams) Gardner and a native of 
East Milton. From the public schools of Milton she continued 
her education in the Milton Academy, Bridgewater Normal 
School, Meadville Theological and Cambridge Divinity Schools ; 
also taking private instruction in languages and vocal culture. 
Being interested in woman suffrage she was made vice-president 
of the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association. By lec- 
tures and readings she has frequently aided charitable causes 
and literary enterprises. She resides in her native town, 
«< devoted to home cares and occupations." 

From June 1860 Henry Dame was the master of the 
Centre School about one year. He is the son of Ivory and 
Lydia Dame, born in Biddeford, Maine, Dec. 7, 1836 ; re- 
moved early to Saco, Me., where he fitted for college in the 
high school. While a student he taught in high schools and 
academies in Maine, to defray his expenses at Bowdoin College 
from which he graduated in 1857 ; and before coming to Ded- 
ham had been two years principal of a high school in South- 
bridge. He married Ellen S. Bacon at Southbridge, December, 
1859. After leaving Dedhani he was two and a half years 
master of the Nantucket High School, resigning that position to 
accept the charge of the Peabody High School which continued 
five years. Other engagements were : Principal of Plymouth 
High, one year; of Bangor, Maine, High, seven years ; sub- 
master, Boston English High, one year ; master of a Boys' 
Preparatory, Boston, several years ; and of the Westfield High, 
one year. He then engaged in the insurance business about 
twelve years. For the last few years he has been a dealer in 
real estate and mining securities ; and now, 1904, resides as 
for the last eighteen years at 16 Mellen street, Cambridge. 

Martha Hale Nichols taught in the primary department of 
the Centre School from April 1860 to April 1862, later in 



218 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Bedford, Wakefield and Canton, Mass., in Charleston and 
Mattoon, 111., and in the school for Freedmen, Vicksburg, 
Miss., 1865-66, where her work was highly commended. She 
was the daughter of the Rev. Samuel and Mary Burdett 
Nichols, born in Barrington, N. H., Sept. 1, 1840; and re- 
ceived a diploma for three years in the Dedham High School. 
She died in Dedham, Jan. 23, 1877. 

Janette Bascom taught in South Dedham two years, 1861 
to 1863, and her work in charge of the fourth class was 
commended. 

In 1861 Sarah J. Colburn taught in the South Dedham 
School, filling a vacancy " to the satisfaction of the committee." 

Soon after the Civil War broke out the military spirit in- 
vaded the schools of Dedham. The male teachers generally 
belonged to drill clubs or companies, and the boys of the high 
school for a year or two spent most of their recesses in the 
company drill, the master acting as captain so far as he was 
capable. The lower hall of the school house and the ample 
playground served as training fields. Some hoys who after- 
wards did good service on real battlefields took their first 
lessons in this very elementary soldiering. But when the war 
ended military athletics in Dedham soon died out. Another 
result of the war Avas less invigorating to the teachers of Ded- 
ham. To enable the town to pay high bounties to volunteer 
soldiers, there was need of retrenchment somewhere. And 
though the ciurency was inflated, the prices of food and fuel 
nearly doubled, though cotton goods rose to a fourfold value, 
and all other laborers were receiving an increase of wages, the 
salaries of Dedham teachers were considerably reduced. We 
need not say that the return of peace was hailed by them with 
unfeigned delight. They had sacrificed enough for the public 
good to prove their patriotism ; with little complaining they 
had waged war with all sorts of increased bills and expenses. 
They fully realized the truth uttered by one of the opulent 
town fathers whose son was then fitting for college in the high 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 219 

school, and Avho said "the reduction of teachers' salaries will 
be a good lesson in economy." It was indeed so, but I am not 
aware that he Avas ever sincerely thanked for his suggestion. 

Myra A. Beaumont was mistress of the East Street School 
in 1861, having previously taught in Canton, Foxboro and 
Walpole. She is the daughter of Alexander and May (Richer) 
Beaumont of Canton, and was educated in the public schools of 
her native town and the high school of Manchester, N. H. 
She was married to Thomas Jefferson Harris of Medford, in 
1862: and in 1903 resided in the city of New York at 117 
East 40th St., with her son Dr. Thomas J. Harris. 

Frances Evelyn Cox taught in the South Dedham School 
from 1861 to 1868. She was born in Troy N. Y., the daugh- 
ter of George and Hannah (Drinkwater) Cox; was educated 
in the South Dedham public schools, and in the Holliston and 
Bridge water Adelphian Academies. She died in Dorchester, 
Mass., Sept. 21, 1891. 

Abbie Talbot Crane taught very successfully in the Grove 
(now Avery) School from 1861 to 1864, and in the Ames 
from 1864 to 1882. She is the daughter of Ebenezer Paul and 
Sarah Stowe (Clarke) Crane, born in Dedham April 13, 1839 ; 
was educated in the Grove and Dedham High schools, attend- 
ing the latter three years. She w^as married to George Francis 
Wight of Dedham, June 6, 1882. She resides in Dedham, at 
213 Highland street, in the house built by her grandfather, 
Major Jacob Clarke, in 1798. 

Susan Emeline Follansbee, in the summer of 1861, was 
mistress of the South District School of South Dedham. In 
1862 she taught in Pittston, Me. ; in Ponkapoag, Mass., 1863 
or 4, and for a short time in the First District, Dedham Vil- 
lage, in 1864. She was the daughter of Capt. Alonzo Walter 
and Nancy Sherman (Mackintosh) Follansbee, born in Pitts- 
ton, Me., April 28, 1842; received a diploma from the 
Dedham high school for three years in 1859 ; married Joseph 



220 • THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

T. Roberts, Nov. 23, 1865, and resided in Charlestown, Mass., 
where she died Sept. 28, 1866. 

Mrs. Clara Robie McCoy taught in the North District of 
South Dedham one terra in 1861. She was the daughter of 
Col. Frederick W. A. and Lucinda (Goldthwait) Robie, born 
at Plymouth, N. H. : a graduate of Mt. Holyoke Seminary ; 
and taught one year at Waukegan, 111., and two years at the 
Delaware Institute, Franklin, N. Y. Her first husband was 
Prof. Henry McCoy of the Delaware Institute ; her second, 
William G. Scott of Richmond, Indiana. Mrs. Scott while on 
a journey abroad, died at Paris, April 1, 1902. 

In 1861 a "high school grade" was established in the 
South Dedham School, and Martha Gilman Robie was the first 
teacher of the classical course, a position she held till 1866. 
She was a thorough teacher as proved by the pupils that 
came from her hands to continue their studies in the Dedham 
high school. She is the daughter of Col. Frederick W. O. 
and Lucinda (Goldthwait) Robie, born in Plymouth, N. H., 
and educated at the academy of her native town and the 
Delaware Literary Institute of Franklin, N. Y. In 1866, June 
5, she was married to Francis Olney Winslow of Norwood 
where she has since resided. Her interest in education has 
been recognized by the town in asking for her services on the 
school committee for six years, during one of which she was 
chairman of the board. 

In 1862 and 1863 Helen May Beaumont had charge of the 
East Street School, having previously taught in Foxboro ; 
later she was a teacher in the Everett School of Boston. The 
daughter of Alexander and May (Richer) Beaumont, she 
was born at Great Falls, N. H., and educated in the Canton 
public schools. In 1867 she was married to Joseph Hubbard 
of Boston ; she died in Roxbury March 14, 1883. " She was 
a successful teacher, a brilliant personality, a woman admired 
and beloved by a large circle of friends." 

From January 20, 1862, to December, 1866 Martha Met- 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 221 

calf taught in the South Dedham School having previous ex- 
perience in the schools of Wrentham, Franklin and Walpole, 
and for a short time in the Perkins Institute for the Blind in 
South Boston. She is the daughter of Joseph Addison and 
Chloe F. A. Metcalf of Winthrop, Me., where she began her 
education, continuing it in Franklin, Mass., at a private school 
in Lowell, and an English and classical school in Walpole, of 
which Andrew Washburn was principal. She was married 
in Franklin, Feb. 13, 1867, to Melzar W. Allen of Walpole, 
where she has been a member of the school committee, and for 
the last nineteen years a trustee of the Public Library, and at 
the present time is secretary of the Board. 

The private school of Rev. Calvin Stoughton Locke from 
1862 to 1892 added greatly to the educational facilities of 
Dedham. Some of our best teachers were taught there. Mr. 
Locke had previously taught in Boxford, 1848, Gill, '49, 
Essex, ' 50 and '51, again in Boxford ' 52 ' 53 ' 54. He is the 
son of Amos Jewett and Clementine (Stoughton) Locke, born 
in Acworth, N. H. ; educated in Kimball Union Academy, 
Plainfield, N. H., Williston Seminary, Amherst College and 
Harvard Divinity School. To these he humorously adds 
*' the school of life in Dedham and Westwood." He was mar- 
ried June 6, 1855, in Northboro to Anne Lincoln ; ordained 
in West Dedham Dec. 6, 1854; dismissed June 20, 1864; 
preached in Dover 1869 to 1880. Mr. Locke has visited 
Europe three times, once accompanied by his wife and 
daughter, and has travelled almost everywhere, avoiding only 
the snows of Scandinavia and Russia. He has also turned his 
steps southward, and has been usefully interested in the colored 
schools of Georgia and the improvement of their teachers. 
Between 1858 and 1884 Mr. Locke was a member of the 
Dedham School Committee twenty years ; chairman , twelve 
years. In Westwood he has been chairman of the board since 
1897 to the present, 1904. 

Helen Mann Tucker from 1862 to 1870 was mistress of 



222 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

the Fisher School, having previously taught in Kaymond, N.H. 
She is the daughter of Bernard and Sally (Dudley) Tucker, 
born in Raymond, N. H., and educated in her native town, 
Brighton and Dedham, Mass. She was married in Worcester, 
Feb. 2(3,1872, to John Eaton, Jr. of Dedham, and was a resident 
of Raymond, March 25, 1904. 

Martha Gay Baker taught the Westfield School from 
April 1862 to July 1864. She was born in West Dedham, 
Sept. 11, 1843, the daughter of Lusher Gay and Elizabeth 
Palmer (Sanford) Baker; received a three years diploma at 
the Dedham High School ; and was married to James Bradford 
Baker, Sept. 27, 1864. She died in Westwood, April 25, 
1898. 

Aspasia Priscilla Tubbs was a teacher in the Centre School 
in 1862, having previously, 1859-'60-'61, taught in Worcester. 
She was born in West Dedham, the daughter of Benjamin 
Holbrook and Aspasia Euphrosina Priscilla Tubbs, and educa- 
ted in the West Dedham public schools and the Ladies' College 
at Worcester. She was married December 18, 1862, in West 
Dedham, to Charles Edward Draper, and in 1904 resided at 
112 Bower Street, Roxbury. 

John Folsom Patten, from April 1862, was master of the 
First Middle School two years. He has been a teacher of schools 
in Portsmouth and several other towns in New Hampshire ; also 
in the academy at South Berwick, Me. He has also been en- 
gaged in various lines of business and manufacturing, residing 
for some years in Duluth, Minn. At present he resides in Lynn, 
Mass., and is a teacher in the Business College of that city. 
He is the son of Jesse and Lucinda (Evans) Patten, and was 
born in Auburn, N. H., May 24, 1831. He was educated at 
academies in Manchester and Tilton, N. H., and was married 
in Lynn, April 11, 1861, to Elizabeth Ellen Brimblecom. He 
is remembered in Dedham as a man of original ideas and a 
happy faculty in school discipline. 

Roland Francis Alger was master of the South Dedham 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 223 

School from 1863 to 1867. He had previously taught district 
schools in Rochester, W. Bridgewater, Bridgewater and S. Ab- 
ington, 1858 to 1860 ; high school, North Middleboro, 1860-62 ; 
Titicut Academy, a select school in Canton, 1862-3 ; after 
leaving Dedham was master of the Edward Everett School of 
Dorchester, 1867 to 1875. He is the son of Stillraan and 
Elvira (Alger) Alger, born in West Bridgewater, and educated 
in the Pierce Academy of Middleboro, and Brown University. 
He was married May 30, 1861, at North Middleboro, to 
Katharine L. Dunbar; in 1869 and 1870 was president of the 
Norfolk County Teachers' Association; and since 1876 has 
been a Baptist, minister in Massachusetts and Vermont, and 
resided in 1904 at 36 Northern Avenue, Dorchester, Mass. 

Florence A. Billings taught a division of the South Ded- 
ham School in 1863 and 1864, also in 1869 and 1870. 

Two years, 1863 and 1864, Adelaide Elizabeth Winship of 
Medfiold was mistress of the South School, South Parish ; frorai 
1866 to 1871 she taught in the north district of the same parish. 
She is the daughter of George Washington and Mary Elizabeth 
Winship of South Canton, and was educated at the Stoughton- 
ham Institute of Sharon. She taught schools in North Sharon 
four or five terms and was the teacher of two schools in the 
town of Norfolk, remaining there about four years. 

From Sept. 1863 till April, 1867 the first Middle or Ames 
School had for its master Horace Hamilton Currier. His par- 
ents were Thomas Sargent and Betsey (Emery) Currier of 
Amesbury where he was born in 1838. The Davis Academy of 
Amesbury and the Putnam Free School of Newburyport edu- 
cated him for teaching. In Amesbury and Brighton he had his 
first experience. He gave up teaching to study law ; began 
this work in the office of Judge Ely in Dedham and continued 
it in the Harvard Law School, graduating LL. B. in 1869. 
After this for several years he was associated with the firm of 
Hutchins and Wheeler of Boston. Later he practised his pro- 
fession in Amesbury. In 1872 he married Anna Allen of 



224 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Chelsea, a niece of the late Charles Allen, Chief Justice of the 
Superior Court of Massachusetts. He died in Amesbury,' 
October, 1879. Other interesting facts of his life I omit, to 
give room for what the Poet Whittier, his intimate friend and 
admirer, was pleased to say of him at his funeral. 

" In attempting to put into words my sense of the loss we 
have sustained from the death of Horace Hamilton Currier, I 
am sure I do but echo the general feeling of the community. 
As he is laid to rest under the beautiful sunshine of the season 
he loved so well, some expression of that feeling seems due to 
him and a necessary relief to us. 

'*He was born among us, and the story of his blameless boy- 
hood, his eager thirst for knowledge, his industry, his studious 
habits, his loyalty to truth and duty, his honorable ambition 
overcoming great obstacles, his success and popularity as a 
teacher, are known to all and need not be dwelt upon. Here 
and everj'^where he found friends, and he had no enemies. He 
entered upon his legal profession with a high ideal of Justice 
and Duty ; and, in a few years, acquired the reputation of a 
sound and faithful advocate, of unquestioned ability and integ- 
rity. The great affliction of the death of his estimable wife, 
<3oming upon him after a year of anxious Avatching at her bed- 
side, together with onerous labors in his profession, broke down 
his health, and compelled him to seek relief in change of air and 
rest. How bravely he bore up against the disease that was sap- 
ping his strength, his patience, cheerfulness, and constant desire 
to promote the happiness of all about him, many summer so- 
journers at the Isles of Shoals and among the New Hampshire 
hills will now freshly remember. They will not forget how 
under ' God's shaping chisel of pain,' his moral and spiritual 
nature seemed to manifest a more perfect symmetry. His love 
of Nature was a marked characteristic ; and he had an artist's 
feeling for whatever was picturesque or beautiful, which seemed 
to increase with the decline of his bodily strength. 

"The earthly chapter of his life has now closed. If he did 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 225 

not reach the ideals of his noble aims, if the physical man failed 
and faltered under the strain of effort, who shall say that his 
life was an unsuccessful one ? He had achieved character ; he 
had ripened for immortality. He has left to his children a 
legacy richer than gold ; to his friends a precious memory, and 
to all who knew him an example of the power of uprightness 
and the beauty of purity. 

" For he to many among us gave 
A reverence for the true and pure. 

The perfect which has power to save 
And make the doubting sure." 

From 1863 to 1873 Ellen Bates was a faithful and effec- 
tive teacher in the Ames School, having previously taught for a 
time in Hanson, Mass. She is the daughter of Eben and Betsey 
(Kenney) Bates of Yarmouth, Maine, in which town and in 
Bangor she was educated to be a teacher. Her residence is 
still in Dedham. 

Charles Frederick Kimball began to teach in the West 
Dedham School April 1863, continuing there till April 1866 
when he became master of the Mill Village School. In 1868 
he was appointed an usher in the Rice School of Boston and 
became sub-master in 1877, and held this position till March, 
1903. He is a native of Temple, N. H., son of Isaac and Lucinda 
(Tenney) Kimball, born Dec. 3, 1830. His preparation for 
teaching was chiefly in the Francestown, Peterborough and 
Ipswich Appleton Academies. His first school was in New Bos- 
ton, N. H., 1849-50 ; then a winter each in Milford, New Ipswich 
and Rindge, N. H., and in Townsend, Mass. Just previous to 
coming to Dedham, he taught in Mason, N. H., Fitchburg and 
Attleboro, Mass. August 5, 1859, he married at Temple, N. H., 
Juliet Augusta Stanley. He was school committee in Attleboro, 
1863 ; in Dedham nine years from March, 1886. As a teacher 
Mr. Kimball was thorough, accurate and progressive, enjoying 
in a high degree the confidence of parents and affection of his 
pupils. He has resided in Dedham since 1863. 



226 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEKS 

In the autumn of 1863, Sarah Annie Shorey was elected 
assistant teacher in the High School, having taught several 
months of the preceding year in the High School of Minneap- 
olis, Minn. She continued her excellent work in Dedham till 
September, 1870, and since then has been constantly employed 
in the Girls' High School of Boston. Her proficiency in 
Chemistry, which she had studied at the Institute of Tech- 
nology while still teaching in Dedham, made her an acceptable 
teacher of that study for several years ; later she has been 
allowed to indulge her preference in teaching languages, 
history and English. She is the daughter of John and Cor- 
nelia (Guild) Shorey of Dedham ; was educated in her native 
town, completing with great thoroughness the four years 
course of the high school, and now resides at 194 Park street, 
West Roxbury. 

Adelina May was mistress of the East Street School 1863, 
4 and 5, having previously taught in Fitchburg. After leaving 
Dedham she was for about sixteen years an acceptable teacher 
in the Comins School, Roxbury, leaving her position there to 
care for her invalid mother. She is the daughter of Nathaniel 
and Mary (Beaumont) Maj^ born in Dedham and educated in 
the Grammar and High Schools of Fitchburg. For the last 
twenty-one years she has resided in Lynn, and at the present 
time lives at 37 Baltimore Street. 

Miss S. A. Carpenter had charge of the third division of 
the South Dedham School two years, 1864 and 1865. 

Almira Gardner Pierce was mistress of the Westfield 
School 1864-5 ; then for a few months of the Oak Hill School 
in Newton ; later two terms in Holbrook ; but since 1868 she 
has been the principal of the Wads worth School of Milton. 
She is the daughter of Oliver and Mary Gardner Pierce of 
Dedham, where she was educated and received a diploma for 
four years at the Dedham High School. Her adopted daughter, 
Marion Lewis, is an assistant in her school. Her residence is 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 227 

in Milton. A brief record of long and efficient service : who 
can measure its influence? 

In the winter of 1864-5 Mr. H. P. Parmelee was master 
of the Walpole Corner School. 

The Summer School of 1864 in Walpole Corner was 
taught by Miss S. P. Dillingham, whose friends, as they peruse 
this record, will have to be content with " the fascination of a 
name" merely. 

For two years, 1864 and 1865, Willard Francis Estey was 
master of the MiHj now Avery, School, having previously 
tauofht in the schools of Easton, Sharon, Canton and Milton. 
He was the son of Willard and Mary Randall Estey, born in 
North Easton, August 30, 1839. He was educated in the 
public schools of North Easton and Sharon, an academy in 
Walpole, and later at the Phillips Exeter Academy. At 
Stoughton, April 6, 1863, he married Jane E. Withington of 
Canton, and resided a short tinie in Canton and Milton, then 
in Dedham till the autumn of 1867, when he removed to Hyde 
Park. After teachino; in Dedham he studied law in the offices 
of Ellis Ames of Canton and F. D. Ely of Dedham, and was 
admitted to practice in the courts of Mass. in 1866 ; and in 
1870 in the U. S. Circuit Court at Boston. He was a member 
of the School Committee in Dedham and Hyde Park, and a 
trial justice for Norfolk County. In 1883 he removed to 
Lewiston, Maine, and died there May 18, 1903. " Circum- 
stances forced Mr. Estey to earn his education ; and, to the 
day of his death, he continued to be a diligent student." 

Abby Louise Baker began her long and effective work as 
a teacher in West Dedham January, 1865, having charge of 
the primary department. Then she taught the Endicott School 
the summer of 1869. Afterwards she taught in Melrose two 
years ; and since then has continued her labors in Roxbury in 
the Dearborn and Hugh O'Brien Schools, twenty years or 
more. She is the daughter of Francis Whiting and Lucinda 
Stowe Baker, of West Dedham, and now resides in Roxbury. 



228 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Abbie Louisa Wight Everett in 1865 began to teach in the 
"Westfield district and was soon transferred to the Readville 
School and remained there some years after it became the 
Damon School of Hyde Park. Later she was the Master's 
assistant in the Everett School of Boston, Dorchester District. 
She is the daughter of Aaron Emmelius and Abby Lovell 
(Wight) Everett, born in Boston and educated in the Dedham 
schools, receiving a diploma for three years at the High School. 
In 1883, March 3, she was married to Frank Forrester Jaques 
and went to live in Chicago ; later removed to Kansas City, 
Mo. ; but now resides in Chicago. 

Vodisa Comey taught in the South Dedham No. District 
School in 18ii5, having charge of the second division. 

The school of the South District of South Dedham was 
well taught in the summer of 1865 by Lucy Rebecca Ellis. In 
the following autumn she went to Canton and taught there 
successfully four years. She is a native of South Dedham, the 
daughter of Rufus and Hannah (Guild) Ellis, born March 16, 
1846. She received a three years' diploma from the Dedham 
High School ; was married to Montgomery Olmstead of Jamaica 
Plain, Jan. 12, 1870; and has since resided mostly at Savin 
Hill, Dorchester. 

The South District School of S. Dedham was taught by 
Lewis Nason Sumner through the winter of 1865-6, his first 
and last school. He was the son of Lewis and Keziah (Dudley) 
Sumner, born in Dorchester, and educated in the public schools 
and Oakland Institute of Needham, and at Wilbraham Acad- 
emy. He married in Needham, Nov. 7, 1867, Susan Davis of 
Stanstead, Canada. He resided in Charlestown and had busi- 
ness connections with the Byam and Dudley Match Manufac- 
tory ; his only ofl5ce "Superintendent of Sunday School." 
Died Jan. 13, 1875. 

Mrs. Mary (Chisholm) Hutchins was a successful teacher 
in the Avery School from October 1865 to April 1870 ; began 
to teach in the Quincy School in 1874 where she remained 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 229 

until her resignation in June 1903. She is the daughter of 
William and Isabel (Graham) Chisholm of Dedham, and was 
married to George Henry Hutchins of Dedham, Dec. 27, 1860 ; 
he died January 8, 1864. Mrs. Hutchins was educated in the 
public schools of Dedham and Lowell, and has paid her debt to 
this town by thirty-four years of devoted service. Evidently 
the town is greatly her debtor ; may Heaven audit the account 
and reward her fidelity. 

Sarah Holland Fish began to teach in the Readville School 
in 1865, doing very acceptable work three years. In 1868 she 
taught two terms in the Avery School. She is the daughter of 
James Fabens and Frances Maria (Mackintosh) Fish, born in 
Dedham, June 12, 1848, and in 1864 received a well-earned 
diploma for four years at the High School. She was married at 
Hyde Park to J. Frank Hammer, Sept. 25, 1873 ; at the 
present time she resides in Nashua, N. H. 

Edna Frances Calder began to teach in the Avery School 
in 1865 ; was transferred to the Ames in 1867 ; and became 
First Assistant in the High School in 1868, doing most accept- 
able work there till 1871, when she was elected to the same 
position in the Roxbury High School. In 1882 she was trans- 
ferred to the West Roxbury High, and remained there till 1890. 
Then relinquishing her work to care for her aged parents, she 
has since resided in Dedham ; is at present Assistant Librarian 
of the Dedham Historical Society, and was one of the editors 
of the Historical Register. She is a native of Dedham, the 
daughter of James and Anna Holmes (Baker) Calder ; re- 
ceived a four years diploma at the High School ; also studied 
chemistry in the Institute of Technology, 1868-9. In the pre- 
paration of this record her assistance has often been most 
acceptable and deserves grateful acknowledgment. 

From 1865 to 1878 Abbie Aurelia White taught success- 
fully in several different departments of the Everett School ; 
also in the Railroad Ave. School. She is the daughter of 
James Franklin and Lavina Eliza White, born in South Ded- 



230 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

ham and educated in South Dedham, Worcester, and Elizabeth, 
N. J., schools. She was married Dec. 20, 1878, to Edgar 
Laban Bigelow of Norwood, where she resided in March, 1904. 

From 18()5 to 18()8 Mrs. Mary Urania (Pullcn) Pond was 
an efficient teacher in the Everett School, having previously 
tauirht a short term in North Sharon. She is the daughter of 
Sumner Bond and Elvira (Whiting) Pullcn, born in East 
Winthrop, Maine, and educated in the schools of South Ded- 
ham, where she was married Nov. 30, 1805, to Charles Edwin 
Pond. Her address ]\Iarch, 1904, was Nahatan Street, Norwood. 

Julia A. Ellis taught the Union School, 186(3 and 1867, 
when it received its new name. She is said to have married a 
Mr. Pike, and to live in Bath or Gardiner, Me., but inquiries 
sent to those places elicited no reply. 

William II. Knight, a graduate of Middlcbury College, 
was master of the Colburn School one year, 1866-7. Later he 
was i)rincipal of the Hyde Park High School. 

Sarah Hodges was mistress of the Endicott School from 
1866 to 1869. She was living at Attleboro in 1904. 

Delia Clementina Paine, having previously taught from 
1862 to 18(>5 in Dennis, took charge of the second class of the 
Everett School in 1866, and taught faithfully till the autumn 
of 1868. She is the daughter of Levi and (Clementina Maria 
(Leonard) Paine of East Randolph ; was educated at Worces- 
ter Academy, and Oak Ilill Seminary, West Haven, Conn. 
November 18, 1868 she was married at Lakeville to Edward 
Payson Stetson of Walpole where in 1904 she still resided. 

Nancy C. M. Winship was mistress at the south district 
school. South Parish, two summers, 1866 and 1867. After- 
wards she taught in Randolph, 1868 ; South Weymouth, 1869 ; 
and in Medfield, 1870 and 1871. She was born in Canton, 
Oct. 6, 1844, the daughter of Silas M. and Julia A. Winship, 
and was educated in the grammar schools of Maine, and later 
in North Bridge water Academy, her special tastes being 
literary. She was married in Randolph August 6, 1871, to 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 231 

Byron W. Loud of South Weymouth in which town she died 
March 10, 1893. 

The Names of Dedham Schools. 

The Ames School named in honor of Fisher Ames at the 
dedication of a new schoolhouse in 1859, is the local successor 
of the school established in 1644. In the records it has been 
designated as *' the school near the meeting-house," <' the Town 
School," "the Centre School," " First Middle" and " District 
No. One." 

The Avery School, named in 1867 by the School Com- 
mittee in honor of Dr. William Avery, who gave fifty pounds 
for the benefit of a " Latin School in Dedham," was previously 
known as "The Mill School," "The Grove School" and 
" District No. Three." 

The Dexter School, also named in 1867, and in honor of 
Samuel Dexter, who was a leading citizen of Dedham from 1762 
to 1775, was previously known as " District No. Two," or the 
" Second Middle School." 

The Damon School, now in Hyde Park, received its name 
in 1867, to honor Deacon Samuel Damon who left the town of 
Dedham $1000, the income of which was to be distributed 
annually to the worthy poor of the town. It was first called 
" The Low Plain School," later " The Readville," or "District 
No. Four." 

The Colburn School, now in Westwood, was so named by 
the committee in March, 1867, in honor of Warren and Dana 
P. Colburn, both natives of that school district, and authors of 
works on Arithmetic. It had been previously known as " The 
West Dedham School," or " District No. Eight," and at a very 
early date as Clapboardtrees. 

The Fisher School, now of Westwood, was named also in 
1867 in memory of Capt. Daniel Fisher, who was prominent 
in Dedham from 1639 to 1683 ; and of Hon. Ebenezer Fisher, 
who gave for the benefit of the West Dedham Schools $1000. 



232 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Previously this was called *'The Clapboardtrees School," or 
" Disti'ict No. 9." " The Clapboardtrees" was originally used 
as the local name of West Dedhani, because the excellent pine 
timber abounding there supplied clapboards for most of the 
houses in the township. 

The Endicott School was so named in 18()7 out of respect 
for the Hon. John Endicott, a native of Canton, but a leading 
citizen of Dedham from 1787 to 1857, and for several years 
her representative in the legislature. Previously the school was 
known as "The East Street" or District No. Five," in which 
Mr. Endicott resided. 

The Everett School, now of Norwood, was named in 18(>7 
out of respect for the lion. Edward Everett whose ancestors 
were residents of South Dedham. Formerly it had been 
designated as "South Dedham, North District," "North 
District of the Second Parish" or " District No. Six." 

The Balch School, now of Norwood, was named in 18G7 
in memory of the Rev. Thomas Balch, the first minister of tlie 
Second Parish. Previously it had been known as the " South 
District of the South, or Second Parish" " The Old Brick" or 
"District No. Seven." , 

The Burgess School, now discontinued, was named in 
1867, to commemorate the Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Burgess, a resi- 
dent of the District at Broad Oak, and for many years a 
generous patron and supporter of the school, then called "The 
AVestfield School," or "District No. Eleven." 

The Union School, no longer existing, was so named in 
18 f) 7 because it was composed of pupils from the three towns 
of Dedham, Medfield and Walpole ; having been previously 
known as the " Walpole Corner School," or "District No. 
Ten." 

The Quincy School took its name from the Hon. Josiah 
Quincy of Boston, who liberally promoted the settlement of 
the locality known as German town. 

The Oakdale School bears the local name of its neighbor- 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 233 

hood. In 1850 the place was chiefly an oak forest, known as 
*' Whiting's woods." 

The Riverdale School was named by the town from the 
neighboring estate of Mr. Nickerson when the money was 
appropriated for its first schoolhouse. 

The Islington School took the local name of its neighbor- 
hood and is now in Westwood. 



Charlotte A. Titcomb began to teach in the Everett School 
in 18GG and resigned in April, 18G7. Mary C. Everett was 
mistress of the Balch School from 18G7 to 1869. In August, 
1867, George L. Faxon was appointed master of the Everett 
School and retained the position till April, 1868. 

William Henry Wescott entered on his duties as master 
of the Ames School in April, 18(57, and with the exception of 
a part of 1870 continued in that position till 1873. He en- 
joyed his work, and the school was happy under his careful 
instruction. He is the son of Edward and Catherine Louisa 
Wescott, born in Boston, April 9, 1840, and was educated in 
Boston Schools and Phillips Exeter Academy. He received 
the degree of M. D. from the Harvard Medical School in 1874. 
He was an assistant surgeon in the U. S. Navy from 1862 to 
1865. In 1883 he was married in Boston to Josephine Hil- 
drcth Waters and in 1902, practised his profession at 204 
Adams street, Dorchester District, Boston. 

The primary class of the Damon School in 18G7 came into 
the care of Annie Janet Barton and so remained till 1869 when 
she became a teacher in the Avery. In 1879 she resigned to 
take an advanced course, including German and French, in the 
State Normal School at Bridge water and graduated in 1882. 
From Sept. 1882 to July 1884 she taught in the High School 
of Maywood, Illinois ; in Sept. 1885 she began to teach in the 
Amos, but in a few days was put in charge of one-half of the 
fourth class of the High School, continuing it till December, 
1887, when she was elected principal of the Colburn. This 



234 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

position she filled most acceptably till November, 1901, when 
on account of failing* health she was granted leave of absence 
for a year ; at the end of which, being no better, she sent in 
her resignation. She was the daughter of Anson F. and Janet 
(Chisholm) Barton, born in Med way, and a graduate of the 
four 3'ears course of the Dedham High School, which seldom 
has a more thorough scholar, or efficient teacher. Thousands 
would have rejoiced in her restoration to health, but she died 
May 16, 1904. 

Abbie Frances Ellis taught in the Everett School from 
1867 to 1871, having previously taught in Canton. She was 
the daughter of Alvin L. and Martha Bassett (Dean) Ellis of 
South Dedham, where she died January 4, 1872, aged 27 
years. 

Hattie Anna Dana taught the Burgess School from June 
to the last of November 1867, and from April 1868 to January 
1869. She was born January 24, 1847, the daughter of Wil- 
liam and Harriet (Burns) Dana of Dedham, and received a 
diploma of four years at the High School. November 19, 
1873, she was married to William Huggett at East Canaan, N. 
H. At the present time she resides at West Canaan, and, 
though leading a busy life on a farm, still enjoys reading and 
tries " to keep on learning as the years go by." 

From 1867 to 1872 Sarah Perrigo Fales was a teacher in 
the Everett School, having previously taught in Mllford. She 
is the daughter of Silas and Roxie Fales, born in Walpole, 
and educated in the public schools of her native town to the 
end of the Hiijh School course. She was married to E. 
Monroe Boyden, April 2, 1872. After her marriage she 
taught in Norwood and Norfolk, and resided in Norwood, 
Mass., March, 1904. 

In 1867-8 and 9 Martha Jane Hay ward was an approved 
teacher in the Everett School, having previously taught in 
North Middleborough, summer of 1863 ; in Bridgewater win- 
ter of 1863-4, and the Gridlev School of Canton, 1864, 1865 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 235 

and 1866. She is the daughter of Daniel Leach and Hannah 
Fobes Hay ward, born in Bridge water, and educated in its 
public schools and the North Middleborough Academy, now 
endowed and named the Pratt Free School. May 4, 1870, she 
was married in Bridgewater to Sidney Ed wards Morse of South 
Dedham ; March 18, 1883, at Norwood, to Leonard Boyd of 
Norwood. Iler address in 1904 was 61 Allerton Road, New- 
ton Highlands. 

Josephine Maria Prince taught continuously and very ac- 
ceptably in the Ames School from 1867 till 1881. She is the 
daughter of James Harvey and Lucy Maria Prince, born in 
Dedham. She Avas educated in the Dedham schools, receiving 
a three years diploma at the High School. October 12, 1881, 
she was married to Edward Crane Paul of Dedham, where she 
still resides on Worthington Street. 

George Marshall Fellows was master of the Avery School 
1868-9. He had been a teacher in the following towns : 
Alexandria, Holderness, Bridgewater, Contoocook and Frank- 
lin, N. H. ; Corinth, Vt. ; Westport, Mass., and in Falley 
Seminary, N. Y. He left Dedham to teach in Hyde Park, and 
for the last twenty-eight years has taught in Boston. He is the 
son of Calvin Peterson and Mary Jane (Worthen) Fellows; 
born in Bristol, N. H. ; fitted for college at the New Hampton 
Literary and Biblical Listitution ; was graduated A. B. at 
Dartmouth College, 1862 ; was married August 12, 1862, at 
Bristol, N. IL, to Pollen Maria Emmons. He resides in Hyde 
Park where for six years he was a member of the School Com- 
mittee and Secretary of the Board. 

Peter Levi Woodbury was Master of the Everett School 
1868-9. The son of Jesse and Hannah Wilson (Duncklee) 
Woodbury, he was born in Francestown, N. H.,May 4, 1840; 
prepared at Francestown Academy for Dartmouth College, from 
which he graduated in 1865. Teaching has been his life work. 
In 1867 he was thus employed in the High School of Hanover, 
Mass. After leaving Dedham he taught in Braintree ; later he 



236 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

was connected with Nebraska College, Neb., sixteen years; 
with Bishop Whipple's School, Moorhead, Minn., four years ; 
the Holderness School, N. H., six years; and six years with 
the Howe School, Lima, Ind., of which he is now, 1904, the 
Head Master. 

The Colburn School from 1868 to 1870 was well taught by 
Joseph Washing-ton Armington, already a teacher of varied ex- 
perience. He had enjoyed this work in Rutland and Holden, 
Mass. ; Lunenburg, Vt. ; Lancaster and Warren, N. H. ; 
Hardwick, Ashburnham, AVeymouth, Milford, Quincy, Hol- 
brook, and Lexington, Mass. After leaving Dedhani, he taught 
in Weymouth twenty -three years ; in Everett ten years, and is 
now enjoying the eleventh year, as I infer from a note of Jan. 
20, 1904, in which he says, " I never felt better than now, and 
enjoy teaching as much as ever." He is the son of Nathaniel 
Kent and Betsey (Carr) Armington ; born in St. Johnsbury, 
Vt. ; educated in the schools of Holden, Worcester Academy, 
Wilbraham Academy, and the Albany Law School. He was 
married, April 23, 1863, to Clarinda Lincoln Fearing; and 
now, in the fifty-first year of his teaching resides at 15 Hamp- 
shire Street, Everett, Mass. 

Maria Louisa Wheelock began to teach in North Walpole 
in 1867 and continued there about a year. In 1868 she took 
charge of a class in the Everett School and did very acceptable 
work till 1879. She is the daughter of Elijah and Mary 
(Colburn) Wheelock, born in West Dedham, Nov. 7, 1848 ; 
attended the schools in South Dedham ; then studied in the 
High School one year and received a four years diploma. 
Married Charles H. Souther, Dec. 23, 1879. She now, 1904, 
resides at Jamaica Plain. In 1902, her four children, three 
sons and a daughter, were all members of Harvard and Smith 
Colleges : a cause of mj' earnest congratulations to both parents 
and children. 

Mary Adaline Alden was a faithful and efficient teacher in 
the Ames School one year from September, 1868 ; then went 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 237 

to the Avery and taught thirteen years. Later she taught in 
Norwood one year. She is the daughter of Samuel Fales and 
Sarah Whiting (Fales) Alden, born in Dedham and educated 
in the East Street and High Schools, receiving a diploma for 
three years. Her present residence, 1904, is at Endicott, 
Mass. 

Sarah Elizabeth Cheney from the autumn of 1868 to the 
winter of 18(39 taught the school at Walpole Corner; then the 
Winter term of the Fisher School ; next the primary depart- 
ment of the Colburn School from May, 1871, to November, 
1876. She had also taught in North Wrentham the summer 
and winter terms of 1867-8, and in South Walpole the winter 
of 1870-71. She is the daughter of Samuel and Mary Cheney, 
was born in West Dedham, and educated at Rev. Mr. Locke's 
private school. Oct. 23, 1878, she was married to Percy E. 
Tisdale, and in 1904 resided in Walpole. 

The primary department of the Colburn School from 1868 
to 1878 was well instructed by Sarah Arnold Ellis. She is the 
daughter of Caleb and Abigail (Harding) Ellis of Medfield, and 
received her thorough preparation for teaching in the Medfield 
High School. Oct. 23, 1878, she was united in marriage to 
George M. Mann, and resided in Fitchburg, Mass., Jan., 1904. 

Harriette Elizabeth Whiting was a teacher in the Avery 
School in 1868, having previously taught in Wrentham a year 
and a half; in 1873-4 she was in charge of the Fisher School. 
She was the daughter of Otis B. and Lavinia (Wickes) Whit- 
ing, born in South Dedham, Aug. 13, 1849, and educated in 
the Dedham grammar and high schools. She left teaching on 
account of failing health, and died in Dedham, June 28, 1874. 

Ellen Wickes Whiting commenced teaching in the Avery 
School in 1868 ; so contitmed till 1872, when she was trans- 
ferred to the Ames and taught there most acceptably till 1879. 
She was the daughter of Otis B. and Lavinia (Wickes) Whi<> 
ing, born in South Dedham, Sept. 3, 1852, and was educated 
in the Dedham grammar and high schools ; married Frank 



238 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Webb Blake of Norfolk, Va., Feb. 19, 1879. Mrs. Blake 
died July 10, 188G. 

In 1869-70 Elsie H. Curtis was a teacher in the Avery 
School. She is the daughter of Edward Henry and Hannah 
C. (Noyes) Curtis, born in Dedhara, Dec. 26, 1848. Receiv- 
ing a four years diploma at the High School in 1866, she 
continued her education at the Salem State Normal School. She 
was married to Alfred Ewer in Dedham, Nov. 17, 1870, and 
now resides at 23 Schuyler Street, Dorchester, Mass. 

In May, 1869, D. N. Lane, or D. A. Lane, Jr., was 
elected Master of the Everett School, but resigned the position 
about the first of December. 

During a part of the year 1869-70 Emma Tisdale was a 
teacher in the Everett School. She had previously taught in 
North Easton, Easton Furnace, and North Sharon. She left 
teaching in 1870 and learned typewriting. She was the daugh- 
ter of Josiah and Susan P. Tisdale, born in Cochesset Village, 
N. Bridge water, but received her education in the schools of 
South Dedham. She died in 1886. 

About two years, 1869-70, the Burgess School was in 
charge of Helen Sophia Colburn, the daughter of Thomas and 
Sophia Gardner (Edwards) Colburn, born in Dedham, Nov. 4, 
1846, and educated in her schools, receiving a four years 
diploma at the High School. Before teaching Miss Colburn 
learned telegraphy, and remembers that, while substituting in 
the private office of the B. & P. R. R., she took the telegram 
announcing the assassination of Abraham Lincoln ; also the 
one armouncing the surrender of Lee and the close of the Civil 
War. She was assistant P. M. in Dedham, 1866-7. Married 
John B. Fisher Dec. 22, 1870, in Dedham, where she has since 
resided, and for years has made herself useful as Recording 
Secretary of the Dedham Women's Club. 

In December, 1869, Rodney B. Capen was elected master 
of the Everett School. Other facts concerning him have 
eluded my careful search. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETIS 239 

From 1869 to 1875 Josephine Hewins taught a well patron- 
ized private school in Temperance Hall on Court Street. She 
had previously taught several years inthe public schools of West 
Roxbury. After teaching in Dedham she was given a position 
in the Boston Public Library which she held for about six 
years, when she resigned because of failing health. She was 
the daughter of Amasa and Elizabeth (Alden) Hewins, born 
in Boston, and educated in the Jamaica Plain and Dedham 
high schools, graduating from the latter in 1858. She died 
January 5, 1881, a few months after leaving the Boston 
Library. 

Adelaide Estelle Ingraham was mistress of the Balch 
School 1869 to 1872; taught in the Everett 1872-3 ; in the 
Avery, 1877 to 1883. Slie was a teacher in the Woodstock 
Academy, Conn., 1874 and 1875, and in Cambridge in higher 
grammar grades from January 1, 1883 till 1895. Since then 
and at present she is principal of the Sleeper School of eight 
rooms including primary and grammar grades. Before teach- 
ing in Dedham she taught one term in Foxboro and one in Wal- 
pole. She is the daughter of George Lewis and Nancy 
Angenette (Butter worth) Ingraham, born in Newton, educated 
in South Dedham and Boston Normal School. She resides in 
Norwood and Cambridije, in each one-half the year. 

From Sept. 1869 to Sept. 1871 Barrett Beard Russell was 
master of the Avery School. He began teaching in Dart- 
mouth, April, 1862 ; later taught in Westport and Randolph 
before coming to Dedham. He was teacher of mathematics 
and chemistry at the Bridge water Normal from Sept. 1871 to 
May 1879 ; was principal of the Oliver School, Lawrence, from 
May, 1879, to Jan. 1, 1885. From that date to the present, 
1904, he has superintended the schools of Brockton. He is 
the son of Howland and Mary Beard Russell, born in Dart- 
mouth, Nov. 24, 1844 ; educated in the public schools and 
academy of his native town, and at the Bridgewater Normal, 
and in special studies by private lessons ; married Fanny 



240 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Sumner Harden of Milford, Nov. 28, 1871 ; served as school 
committee in Bridgewater ; was a trustee of the Public Library 
of Brockton, three years ; and for the last nine years to 1903, 
has been a director of the Plymouth Safe Deposit and Trust 
Company of Brockton. 

The second class of the Everett School from 1869 to 1871 
was in charge of Phebe Ann Holder who had been the assistant 
in Lee High School about six years from 1857. From the 
Everett she went to Hinsdale and was principal of the High 
School there three years ; then taught in Berlin schools till 
sixty years of age, after which she received private pupils at 
home until within a year of her death. She was the daughter 
of Daniel and Harriett (Hutchins) Holder, born in Berlin, 
Mass., Nov. 27, 1824, and educated in Berlin public schools, 
Academical Boarding School, and the State Normal School at 
Westfield. Her literary work deserves mention. She wrote 
both prose and verse religious in tone. Her poems for public 
occasions were often solicited and much admired. Some of 
her hymns were set to music, and much of her poetry appeared 
in periodicals and newspapers. One volume was published : 
*'Voices from Lakeview." " She was a zealous Chautauquan 
and earnest church worker." She died in Berlin, Mass., Nov. 
12, 1902. 

From 18G9 to 1875 Melissa Deborah Robinson was a 
teacher in the Avery School, then a year in the Quincy. She 
is the daughter of Samuel Baker and Deborah Cutting (Upton) 
Eobinson, born Oct. 27, 1850, in Dedham ; received a diploma 
for three years at the High School ; married Harvey ISI. Holt, 
Nov. 29, 1876 ; and in 1890 resided at 150 Vine Street, 
Everett. 

From Jan. 1869, to Oct. 1870, Fanny Sumner Marden 
had charge of the second division of the Avery School. She 
is the daughter of Aaron and Mary Thayer (Cox) Marden, born 
in South Boston, June 29, 1844. Her education was received 
in the public schools of Dedham and Newton. She was married 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 241 

to Barrett Beard Russell in Milford, Nov. 28, 1871. As 
secretary and treasurer of the Associated Charities, and in 
connection with other societies, Mrs. Russell has made herself 
useful to the community in which she lives. Her present resi- 
dence is Brockton. 

The Endicott School in 1869, the Union in 18(39-70, and 
the Fisher in 1870, were faithfully taught by Florence Hill. 
Since then she has been a teacher in the Norwood schools 
nearly twenty-five years, and is now, 1904, in charge of the 
Shattuck School of the same town. She is the daughter of 
Rev. George and Georgianna (Brown) Hill, born in West 
Cambridge (now Arlington), and educated in the grammar and 
high schools of Norwood and at the Dean Academy of Franklin. 
She resides in Norwood where her labors have been justly 
appreciated. 

Emma Maria Savil, after completing her studies in the 
Quincy High and Girl's High and Normal School of Boston, 
began to teach the Endicott School in Dec, 1869, and con- 
tinued her work there nearly five years. Then she went to the 
grammar department of the Bowditch School, Boston, and from 
there, a few years later, to a similar position in the Edward 
Everett School, Dorchester Dist., where she still teaches, no 
one more acceptably. She is a native of Quincy, the daughter 
of Charles Francis and Lydia (Turner) Savil, and resides in 
that city at 18 Saville Avenue. 

From 1870 to 1875 Henrietta Adams taught in the Avery 
School ; then was transferred to the Ames School and taught 
there till 1894, thus giving the town of Dedham twenty-four 
years of faithful and efficient service. She is the daughter of 
Benjamin Henry and Elizabeth (Smith) Adams, born in Ded- 
ham. She attended the High School three years, and still 
occupies the pleasant home of her childhood. 

Mary Lee Adams taught a private school in Dedham 
Village on Court Street about three years, 1870-1872. She is 
the only daughter of William Joseph and Deborah Foster 



242 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEKS 

(Chickering) Adams, and was born in Boston ; coming to Ded- 
ham when a child, she attended the private schools of Miss 
Augusta Crehore and Miss Emily Hodges ; then the Dedham 
High School two years. She graduated from the Girls' High 
and Normal School of Boston. Her residence has been partly 
in Dedham, and more recently in Pittsfield, Mass. 

Belle Merrick taught in the Everett School 1870-1. The 
want of a clue shortens this record. 

In 1870 Sarah Louisa Rhodes was mistress of the Union 
School : from 1886 to 1894 she taught the second class of the 
Ames. She began to teach in 1867 in Franklin, remaining 
there a year ; then taught two years in North Wrentham, 1868 
to 1870; and, from 1871 to 1886, had charge of a class in the 
Everett School of Norwood. To this school she returned from 
the Ames in 1895 and at the present date, 1904, is still teach- 
ino- there. She is the daughter of Aaron Willard and Ruth 
(Small) Rhodes, born in Walpole ; attended the Dedham High 
School one year, but received a well merited diploma for the 
four years course, having entered in advance from the high 
school class of the Everett, under Mr. Alger and Miss Robie. 

Annie L. Boyden was a teacher in the Everett School 
1870-71. No clue to further information discoverable. 

In the winter of 1870-1 a primary class of the Balch 
School was taught by Miss E. M. Peck to the entire satisfac- 
tion of the Town Committee. . 

Beginning in the autumn of 1870, Clara Addie Curtis had 
charge of the Burgess School till 1872. She is the daughter of 
George Frederick and Mary (Woodbury) Curtis, born in 
Dedkam and educated in its schools, receiving a four years 
diploma at the High School. She is still a resident of her native 
town, devoted to the care of her invalid and aged relatives. 

In the Everett School, 1870-71, Mary Viola Woodman 
was the teacher of the second class, her previous experience 
being that of a substitute in the Boston Schools. Later she 
taught in both the primary and grammar departments of the 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 243 

Washington, now Dudley, School of Roxbury. She is the 
daughter of James Barnabas and Mary Cordelia Woodman, 
born in Hanover, Mass., and educated in the primary schools 
of her native town, the Everett Grammar and Girl's High and 
Normal of Boston, including a course in the training depart- 
ment. Nov. 20, 1873, she was married to Franklin Sprague 
Williams, and now, 1904, resides at 15 Schuyler street, Rox- 
bury, varying her household cares with an interest in two 
Women's Clubs, and the chief management of one of them. 

For one year, 1870-71, James Bartlett Hammond was 
master of the Ames School, and after leaving Dedham taught 
in New York City. He is the son of Thomas and Harriet W. 
(Trow) Hammond of South Boston. He was educated in the 
Mather School ; Boston High ; Boston Latin ; Phillips Acad- 
emy, Andover ; University of Vermont ; Union Theological 
Seminary, New York ; and University of Halle, Germany. 
Mr. Hammond says, "I became interested in Type Writing in 
1869-70 ; wiiich interest increased and resulted in the inven- 
tion of the Hammond Typewriter, The further perfection of 
the machine, and its adaptation to oriental as well as occidental 
languages and dialects, will occupy the residue of the inventor's 
lifetime." Mr. Hammond resided at the Osborne, 205 West 
57th street. New York, January 5, 1904. 

Jairus Lincoln, Jr., was master of the Colburn School one 
year, 1870-71. He was the son of Jairus and Mary Cotton 
(Ware) Lincoln of Northboro ; was educated in Northboro 
schools and the Normal at Bridgewater, graduating August 4, 
1852. He was married in his native town, March 26, 1856, to 
Jane Taylor Fisher. He taught seven years ; and previous to 
1876 became a farmer in Longmont, Colorado, where he died 
in November, 1893. 

Maria Therese Delano was an assistant teacher in the High 
School from September, 1870, one year, then taught a year and 
two terms in Canton. Returning to the High School she taught 
from the spring term of 1873 to June, 1884. She had entire 



244 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

charge of the fourth class and taught the whole school in vocal 
music most of the time. She had previously taught a year and 
a half in Cliftondale ; in Bunker Hill School, Charlestown, 
three years; in West Side Ladies' Seminary, Chicago, 111., 
three years ; and in Lynnfield and Reading two years ; in all 
twenty-four years : and she says, '* During that time I was not 
out of school a day for illness." She is the daughter of 
Thomas Ingalls and Maria Louisa (Grigg) Delano, born in 
New Boston, N. H., educated in the public schools of Somer- 
ville and the Salem Normal, graduating in 1861. She excelled 
in mathematics and was a ver}'^ thorough teacher. She now, 
1904, resides at 72 Florence St., Somerville, Massachusetts. 

In 1870, Ella Eudora Ward was a teacher in the Ames 
School, and from 1872 till 1884 she was the approved mistress 
of the Burgess School. She is the daughter of Caleb Burbank 
and Abby Batelle (Mixer) Ward, born in Dedham, Dec. 13, 
1849. She was the recipient of a diploma for three years in 
the High School; married James E. Brown, Feb. "1^^ 1882, 
and in 1890 resided at Milton Mills, N. H. 

Carrie M. Shapleigh was the teacher of the Union School 
the winter of 1870-71, being an acceptable substitute in place 
of Miss Rhodes who was granted leave of absence. 

In the spring of 1871, because of the illness of the princi- 
pal of the High School, William Davis Mackintosh was acting 
principal for the term. He had previously taught in Colchester 
Academy, Vt., and as master of a grammar school in Wenham, 
1869-1871. From 1871 to 1874 he was in charge of a gram- 
mar school in Amesbury ; from 1877 to 1880, assistant in 
Worcester High; 1880 to 1884, prin. of Amesbury High; 
1884 to 1889, assistant in Mr. Hale's School, Boston ; 1890 to 
1896, in Chauncey Hall; 1897 to 1898, principal So. Wey- 
mouth High. Since that time to the present, Jan. 1904, he 
has conducted a private school. He is the son of Roger 
Sherman and Mary Jane (Lyon) Mackintosh; born in West 
Roxbury ; educated in the public schools of Dorchester and at 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 245 

Harvard University. He was married Sept. 18, 1880, in 
Amesbury, to Anna L. Jones, and now resides in Boston, 
West Roxbury District. 

From March, 1871, to Feb., 1872, Charles Francis Adams 
was master of the Colburn School. He had previously taught 
in Spencer, Sturbridge and Maiden. Afterward he was vice- 
principal of the High School of Fitchburg ; assistant in the 
Worcester Normal School, 1874 to 1883. Was instructor in 
the National School of Methods, Saratoga, N. Y., about 1887 ; 
school committee of Worcester, 1888-1893. He has been 
supt. of schools in Spencer since 1903. He is the son of John 
and Marcia Amy (Bond) Adams, born in Brookfield, a gradu- 
ate of Bridgewater and Westfield Normal Schools, Mass., 
Institute of Technology, and Agassiz Summer School at 
Penekese. He married Mary Lillian Kinney at Worcester, 
1876, and was a resident of Spencer, Mass., Jan. 21, 1904. 

From 1871 to 1873 the Fisher School was well taught by 
Charlotte Elizabeth Eaton ; also the Endicott School from 1878 
to 1880. She was the daughter of John and Harriet Eaton, 
born in Dedham, and received a diploma of four years at the 
High School. She married Frank R. Bird, Sept. 22, 1880, and 
resided in Canton. The date of her death is not ascertained. 

Wm. H. Hubbard was master of the Avery School a part of 
the years 1871-2. As other facts concerning him have eluded 
all our inquiries, we will add the testimony of the town com- 
mittee who say in their report of March, 1872, " Mr. W. H. 
Hubbard has occupied the master's position during the fall and 
winter terms, and we believe he has labored diligently and 
advanced his pupils well in their studies." 

From December, 1871, to March, 1873, Frances Abby 
Mathes was an assistant in the High School, having charge of 
the Fourth Class. It was her first experience in teaching, and 
her success gained for her a position in Bradford Academy, 
which she occupied four and a third years. Then, Feb., 1882, 



246 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

after a vacation of five years she went into tlie Portsmouth, N. 
H., Ilii2:li School, where up to the present time she has taught 
chiefly Latin and Enjj-Iish Literature. She is the daughter of 
Nathan Folsom and Ahiry Frances (Folsom) Mathes, born in 
Portsmouth, N. IL, educated in her public schools and at the 
Maplewood Listitute, Pittslield, INfas.s. As a teacher she has 
ahvaj's won the affections of her i)upils. Her present residence 
is South Road, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 

The Everett School, 1871-2, had for its master Leander 
Van Ness Peck. He was the son of Zia and Sarah (Campbell) 
Peck, born in Acworth, New Hani[)shire, April 2, 18;>(). Ho 
fitted for Dart. Col. at the New London Academy, N. H., and 
gradutited in 18(54. For about three years after leaving college 
he taught in a military boarding school in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., 
then a year or two in New Jersey. He left Norwood for a 
mastership in South Natick, which he held six years, the hist of 
his teaching. He had married in April, 18(55, INhiry J. Harris 
of Concord, Mass. He was an appraiser in the Boston Custom 
House several years, and the last eighteen years of his life 
resided at Wellesley Hills, where he served the town as tax 
collector, 18i)0, and as assessor the last four years of his life, 
" which ended for earth, Oct. 2S, 11)02." 

In the Balch School Miss E. C. Perkins begtm to teach 
in September, 1871. Under her instruction the school passed 
into the care of the town of Norwood. 

Miss E. L. Reynolds began to teach in the first depart- 
ment of tlie Balch School in November, 1871, and under her 
instruction the school came into the care of the new town of 
Norwood. 

Martha Abbie Smith became Assistant Teacher in the High 
School, October, 1871, and did excellent work there till Juno, 
1884. Iler work was interrupted by protracted illness and 
was never resumed. She had previously been the Assistant 
Teacher of the Weymouth High School about a year and a half, 
March, 1870, to October, 1871. She is the daughter of 



OF DEDilAM, MASSACHUSETTS 247 

Charles and Wealthy (McKinney) Smith of Dedham, where 
she was educated in the public schools and received a four 
years diploma at the High School. In chemistry and the 
Higher Mathematics, she enjoyed the privileg(!S offered at the 
Institute of Technology ; also by private tuition in Greek pre- 
pared hers(;lf to instruct colK^ge classes in Xeno[)hon. At the 
present time, li)()l, she is Supt. of Indexers in the Norfolk 
County Registry of Deeds, residing at 924 High Street, Ded- 
ham. As a proof reader her assistance in publishing this 
volume has been most valuable. 

From 1871 to 1880 the fourth class of the Ames School 
was most faithfully instructed by Mary L. Talbot. She is the 
daughter of Sylvester W. and Margaret (Guild) Talbot, born 
in I)(!dham. After receiving a diploma for three years in the 
Dedham High School she attended Mr. Henry Williams' School 
in Boston. She has been an efficient member and director of 
the Ladies' Club in Dedham, where she still resides. 

Horace Thomas Atwood was master of the Colburn School 
1872-3 ; then was in charge of the Everett School of Norwood 
from 1873 to 1890. He is the son of Loranus and Charity 
Thomas (Washburn) Atwood of Middleboro, where he was 
educated in the public schools and Pierce Academy, also by 
courses in Bryant and Stratton's Commercial College and the 
Bridgewater State Normal School. He married Clara A. 
Talbot of Norwood in July, 1883. He studied at the Boston 
University Law School, and since 1895 has practised law at 
Norwood. He served that town as chairman of the School 
Committee, 1892 to 1895 ; as Trustee of the Public Library, 
1883 to 1896, being chairman the last three years. 

From April, 1872, to July 1, 1890, Harriet Ellis Colburn 
was a very thorough teacher of the Union School. In De- 
cember, 1890, she took charge of the first public school in 
Waban, teaching it till July, 1891 ; then for a year taught as 
a substitute in the Cambridge schools. In September, 1892, 



248 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

she went to Springfield, where she has taught the greater part 
of every year as substitute, and is now so emploj^ed in the day 
schools and in the Ehn Street Evening School, where she has 
taught every winter since 1892, from the second week of 
October to the middle of April. She is the daughter of James 
Perrin and Cordelia (Merrifield) Colburn of West Dedham, 
where she was born, April 5, 1853. She attended the High 
School a year ; then continued her education in Rev. C. S. 
Locke's private school. Her residence in 1904 was at South 
Dexter Street, Springfield, Mass. 

Henry Ellis Crocker was master of the Avery School from 
1872 to 1878, and of the Ames School from 1881 to 1885; 
then was Superintendent of the Dedham schools three years. 
He was born in Barnstable June 13, 1848, the son of Wilson 
and Elizabeth Crocker. He attended the Conference Seminary 
at East Greenwich, R. I., and the Wesleyan Academy, Wil- 
braham, Mass. Before coming to Dedham he had taught in 
the public schools of Barnstable and also in the Academy at 
Wilbraham. July 28, 1870, he was married at Osterville to 
Helen Howard Scudder. Mr. Crocker's ability as an educator 
was duly appreciated ; and in recognition of the same Bates 
College gave him the honorary degree of Master of Arts. In 
1896 he was the chief manager of the New York branch of the 
risk Teachers' Agencies, his address being 156 Fifth avenue, 

New York City. 

From 1872 to 1877 Annie Grant Fish taught a division of 
the Avery School, having previously taught a year in the 
Damon School of Hyde Park, 1870-1 ; and from March to 
August, 1872, in the Haledon School, Paterson, New Jersey. 
She was the daughter of James Fabens and Frances Maria 
(Mackintosh) Fish, born in Rochester, Illinois, Oct. 19, 1852 ; 
educated in the public schools of Dedham, and receiving a 
diploma of four years at the High School in 1869. She was 
married to Edwin Scott Morse Oct. 18, 1877, at Dedham, 
where she resided till her death, Dec. 31, 1895. 



or DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 249 

Abbie L. Marshall taught the primary department of the 
Dexter School, 1872-3, and was mistress of the Oakdale, 
1873-4. She is the daughter of Edward and Eliza Ann Mar- 
shall, born in Dedham Aug. 24, 1852 ; received a four years 
diploma at the High School ; was married to Henry C. Hamil- 
ton in Dedham, Sept. 13, 1877. In 1890 they resided in 
Mansfield. 

Mrs. Mary Sereno Morse taught in the Avery School 
from 1872 till 1876. The Quincy opening as a branch of the 
Avery was in charge of Mrs. Morse nearly a year in 1874. 
Before coming to Dedham she had taught three years in the 
First District of Ellington, Conn. She is the daughter of 
Charles Harris and Fanny Lavina (Chase) Towne, born in 
Grafton, and educated in the schools of that town and the 
Eockville Hig^h School. She married Luther Saunt Morse in 
1861 ; he died in 1870. She married Israel Warren Andrews 
of Danvers in 1877, who died in Nov., 1897. Mrs. Andrews 
resides at 26 Hay ward Street, Salem, where she teaches music, 
as she has done the greater part of her life. 

Anna Louisa Farrino;ton beo^an to teach as an assistant for 
an hour a day of Miss Savil in the Endicott School in 1873. 
In 1875 she took charge of the primary class of the Avery and 
so continued till 1883, when her success and the offer of a 
large increase of salary took her to Yonkers, N. Y. At the 
present time, 1904, she is there and still continues class work 
combined with some supervision ; and is fortunate in having 
the largest salary paid for class room work in the city, High 
School excepted . She is a daughter of George Otis and Abbie 
(Durant) Farrington, born in Dedham, and a four years grad- 
uate of the High School. Her address is 212 Warburton 
Avenue, Yonkers, N. Y. 

From 1873 to 1875 the Master of the Ames School was 
Frederick Eugene Whitney, who had previously taught in 
Farmington, Vienna, Mt. Vernon and Waldoboro, Maine. 
Leaving Dedham he taught in the Mayhew and Eliot Schools 



250 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

of Boston, and in the Government University, Tokio, Japan, 
up to 1881. He is the son of George Washington and Vidette 
(Haines) Wliitney, born in Farmington, Me., Nov. 26, 1850. 
His education was obtained at Farmington Academy, State 
Normal School of the same place ; Waterville Classical In- 
stitute, class of '69 ; Bowdoin College, class of 1873, and the 
Law School of Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., class 
of 1882. He was married at Oakland, Cal., March, 1884, to 
Edith Adams ; and since 1882 has practised law in that city, 
serving as County Commissioner of Alameda Co. 12 years, and 
holding various other positions of honor and trust in the City, 
County, and State. 

From 1874 to 1878 Sarah Louisa Harris had charge of the 
Oakdale School, to which, after a term in the Avery, 1886, she 
returned as mistress for a year in 1887-8. She taught in 
Brookline, had charge of the English department of the Wal- 
tham New Church School, and in London, England, taught 
two years in the Royal Normal College and Academy of Music 
for the Blind. For a time she was principal of the Grammar 
School in Paulina, Iowa ; for six years she was the governess 
in Mr. Hastings' family of Fryeburg, Me., and nine months in 
Dr. Flint's, of Ridgefield, Conn. She is the daughter of 
Stephen and Sarah Clark (Simpson) Harris, born in Bruns- 
wick, Me., and educated in the Bowdoin and Dudley Schools, 
Boston, and the Bridgewater State Normal. Her present 
residence is Paulina, Iowa. 

Mary Esther Keelan from 1874 to 1882 taught a depart- 
ment of the Avery School : in 1882 she was elected principal 
of the Quincy, and has done excellent service there till the 
present time, 1904. To fully appreciate Miss Keelan's ability 
as the Head of a School, one needs to visit the Quincy and 
witness the order, enthusiasm and intelligence of her pupils. 
She was born in Milton, the daughter of Michael and Catherine 
Elizabeth (Roche) Keelan, and received a diploma for four 



or DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 251 

years at the Dedham High School in 1872. She resides at 366 
High Street, Dedham. 

Sarah Lizzie Norris taught in Dedham about eight years : 
the Fisher School 1874 to 1876, Quincy 1876 to 1877, Avery 
1877-8, Oakdale 1878 to 1881, and Ames 1881-2. Then 
leaving Dedham she taught in the primary department of the 
Central School of Montclair, N. J., from 1882 to 1891. She 
is the daughter of Samuel Myrick and Isabella (Swords) 
Norris, born in Charlestown, Mass. ; educated in the Avery 
School, Miss Nancy Guild's private school, the Dedham High, 
from which she received a diploma for four years, and the 
Framinghara State Normal. She was married in Hyde Park 
July 14, 1891, to Randall Spaulding, Supt. of Schools in 
Montclair, New Jersey, where now, 1904, she resides. In 
Montclair she was President of the Child Study Association, 
1895 to 1897 ; of the Wednesday Afternoon Club, 1901 and 
2 ; and is now one of the Advisory Board of the Town Im- 
provement Association. 

James Nathaniel Parker was master of the Colburn School 
from January 1874 to June 1880, and his success was often 
mentioned in the reports of the Town Committee. He is the 
son of James and Elizabeth Parker (Glover) Parker of Marble- 
head, and was born May 17, 1840. In the schools of his 
native town ho fitted for the Bridgewater Normal School from 
which he graduated in 1869. Beginning at once to teach in 
Holbrook, he continued there till June 1873, then taught a few 
weeks in East Stoughton, now Avon. He was married to 
Annie Wilde Paine of Holbrook then East Randolph, July 12, 
1871. Since 1880 Mr. Parker has been a member of the shoe 
manufacturing firm, F. A. Parker & Co., of Marblehead, 
where he has resided. He has served that town in many offices 
of trust, four years as Selectman, ten years Trustee of the 
Abbott Library, fifteen years as School Committee, and four 
years as Electric Light Commissioner. 

William Thomas Hart was master of the Endicott School 



252 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

from 1875 to 1878, and of the Oakdale from 1878 to 1881. 
He then took charge of the West School of Milton but resided 
in Hyde Park. He was the son of William and Emeline 
(Thayer) Hart of Foxboro, born Oct. 8, 1850, and educated in 
the schools of his native town. He taught two years in Fox- 
boro, then was a bookkeeper three years in a Straw Factory 
before teaching in Dedham. In 1878, Aiig. 1, he married 
Ella C. Hatch of Great Barrington. He was a zealous member 
of the Baptist Church, both in Foxboro and in Hyde Park; 
also of the Hyde Park Historical Society, and at the time of 
his death was Vice President of the Norfolk County Teachers' 
Association. He was in his Milton School almost to the day 
of his death, Feb. 15, 1889. Of him it could be truly said : 
" He was faithful to the end." 

From 1875 to 1881 Joseph Hale Noyes was master of the 
Ames School. He was the son of Daniel and Mary Hale 
(Parish) Noyes of Newbury, and was educated at Dummer 
Academy, also devoting two years to collegiate studies under 
private tuition. His life-work was teaching which he began at 
18 years of age, and continued successfully forty years in 
Ipswich, Newburyport, Medford, Maiden, Newton, Marble- 
head, Wellesley and Dedham. He married first, Abby Maria 
Young of Newburyport, Dec. 1853 ; second, Mary Elizabeth 
Moore of Worcester. His last years from 1884, chiefly de- 
voted to business for the firm of William H. Noyes & Brother, 
were spent in Newburyport where he died Sept. 23, 1896. He 
was an active and esteemed member of the Old South Church 
of that city. 

The Fisher School from 1876 to 1880 was in charge of 
Lucy Ellis Allen, who had previously taught in Dover, and, 
after leaving Dedham was thus employed in Boxboro. She is 
the daughter of Samuel Fisher and Harriet (Ellis) Allen, born 
in Dedham and educated in the public schools of her native 
town and in Rev. Calvin S. Locke's Private School. She was 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 253 

married in Dedham Aug. 18, 1880, to Joseph Henry Orendorf 
of Boxboro, and now, March 25, 1904, resides in Concord. 

Lizzie Smith Alger taught a division of the Quincy School 
two years, 1877-1879, liaving previously taught in Smithfield, 
K. I., and in Millbury, Mass. She is tlie daughter of David 
and Hannah Studley (Malcolm) Alger, born in Dedham and 
educated in the schools of her native town from Primary 
throuo-h the liiffh. She was married in Providence, R. I., to 
George Dallas Barnes, and in April, 1904, resided at 132 
Border Street, Ashcroft, Dedham. 

The first special teacher of drawing employed by the town 
of Dedham was Mary Flagg Taft who taught in the High 
School the summer term of 1877. She is the daughter of 
Frederic Augustus and Cornelia Shorey (Guild) Taft, born 
in Medford, and educated in the Dedham schools, receiving at 
the High School a diploma for four years. She also studied 
at the Normal Art School in Boston. She was married to 
Henry Hitchings, Supt. of Drawing in Boston Public Schools. 
at Dedham, Nov. 7, 1877. She resided in 1902 at 32 St. 
James Avenue, Boston. 

The Islington School was opened in 1877, and Anna 
Maria Dean had charge of it till 1880. She was the daughter 
of Josiah and Susan Jane (Whiting) Dean, born in Dedham 
and educated in the East Street School and the three years 
course of the High. August 9, 1887, she was married to 
Horatio P. Lewis of Brockton. She died in Brockton, Jan- 
uary 4, 1902. 

The Quincy School, 1877-8, was in charge of Mabel 
"Weed Saxe. She had previously taught in Alton, III. ; and, after 
leaving: Dedham taugrht in Medford, and the Intermediate Class 
of the Everett of Boston three years. She is the daughter 
of Jacob Weed and Grace Brentnelle (Drury) Saxe, born in 
Leon, Wis., Oct. 3, 1858, educated in Medford, Mass. and 
Alton, III. She was married Dec. 1, 1880, to Nahum E. Jen- 



254 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

nison of Swanton, Vt., and now, Jan. 22, 1904, resides at 201 
Waiola Ave., La Grange, Illinois. 

Mary Lillietta Stevens was an acceptable teacher in Ded- 
ham eight years : in the Oakdale 1877 ; Quincy 1878 to 1882 ; 
Avery 1882 to 1885. She was born in West Dedham, the 
daughter of John Nelson and Elvira Latham (Cratnm) Stevens, 
and attended the Hyde Park and Dedham High Schools, re- 
ceiving from the latter a diploma for four years. She was 
married July 14, 1885, to Emerson Wordsworth Lyon at 
Keadville, where she has since resided. 

Annie Emily Curtis taught drawing in the High School 
from September, 1877, to June, 1878. She was the daughter 
of John and Anne Matilda (Greenwood) Curtis, born in 
Providence, R. I., and educated in Providence schools and the 
Mass. Normal Art School. She tau^jht in St. Ao^nes School, 
Albany, N. Y., 1878 to 1882 ; married William Blodget in 
Providence, April 25, 1883; died in the same city, March 13, 
1885. 

Two years, 1878 to 1880, the Avery School had for its 
Master A. M. Graves. Since then he has resided in the far 
West, where it has been impossible to trace his career. 

The art work of the Dedham High School for four years, 
1878 to 1882, was in charge of Ella Cyrene Greene. She had 
taught about two years in the Lowell Evening Drawing School 
and has been in that service continuously to the present, 1904. 
She has also tauijht in the Girls Hiirh School of Boston and 
many other institutions ; and has received several diplomas, 
prizes and high commendations for work done in her studio in 
Lowell. She is the daughter of George W. and Cyrene Annah 
Greene, born in Carlisle, Mass. ; educated in Lowell, graduat- 
ing from the High School, 1875, and from the Normal Art 
School of Boston, A. M. in 1880. She has since resided in 
Lowell, and her business address is No. 8 and 9 Mansur Block, 
Central Street, Lowell, Mass. 

In 1878-9 a special teacher of music was first employed by 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 255 

the town, and Charles Edward Whiting was paid for teaching 
in the High School only ; then he was employed from 1879 to 
1884 in the Grammar and Primary Schools, where his services 
were very highly approved. He is the son of Nathan Partridge 
and Olive (Chase) Whiting, born in Holliston and educated in 
her public schools. Before teaching in Dedham he was thus 
employed in Newton and Brighton ; after his work in Dedham 
he taught music in Maiden, Melrose, Winthrop, Belmont, and 
Watertown. In 1860 he married Emma R. Leland of Sher- 
born. He is now, 1904, a Musical Author and Composer for 
Public Schools, and resides at 375 Harvard St., Cambridge. 

The Dexter School from 1878 to 1883 was in charge of 
Frederick Herbert Wight. He is the son of George Francis 
and Adeline Mary Wight, born in Dedham Jan. 5, 1859, edu- 
cated in the public schools ; a four years graduate of the High 
School, and also of the Bridge water Normal. He was married 
in Dedham to Charlotte Poole White, April 6, 1881. After 
1883 he engaged in mercantile pursuits, residing at Oakdale ; 
but is now a grain merchant in Walthara, Mass. 

From 1879 to 1885 Fannie Ellis Draper taught very ac- 
ceptably in the Ames School, then was a teacher in Brookline 
till April, 1888. In June of that year she was married to 
Frederick J. Baker. In August they went to reside in Sher- 
man, Texas ; but since April, 1899, have lived in Dallas of the 
same State. She is the daughter of George Dean and Fannie 
Elizabeth (Baker) Draper, born in West Dedham and educated 
at Dedham High and a Private School in Worcester. 

Florence E. Greer from 1879 to 1882 was principal of the 
Quincy School, having previously been a teacher in Dover. 
She is the daughter of John and Catherine Greer, born in 
Boston and educated in the Lincoln and Normal Schools of 
that city. She was married Sept. 11, 1882, at Gardner, 
Mass., to Charles F. Pritchard, and in 1904 resided in luynn, 
her husband being the general manager of the Lynn Gas and 



256 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Electric Co., and she the Vice-President of the Woman's 
North Shore Club. 

From 1879 to 1884 the musical instruction in the Dedham 
schools was in charge of Arthur Wilder Thayer as teacher and 
superintendent; and from 1884 till 1887 he was Supt. of the 
same branch in the town of Milton. He is the son of John 
Henry Bass and Mary Smith (Wilder) Thayer, born in Ded- 
ham and educated in the private school of Emily C. Hodges, 
Dedham High, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 
His musical training was by his father, Dr. Guilmette, and 
other masters. His musical compositions have been numerous, 
including songs, choruses, etc. He was married in Dedham to 
Annie Eichards Fisher, Nov. 12, 1891. For about twenty-five 
years he has been devoted to music as teacher, composer, con- 
ductor, singer and organist, incidentall}^ having pupils in com- 
position and conducting. He is a resident of Dedham. 

In 1880 Martha Clarke Crane succeeded Miss Small as 
teacher of sewing and continued her work till June, 1882, when 
instruction in that art was discontinued. She says : "I gave 
two days in the week to the schools ; taught four schools at the 
Avery Wednesdays, giving a fourth of each day to each school. 
Friday forenoons I taught two schools at the Ames ; the first 
half of the afternoon I gave to the Quincy, the latter half to 
another school at the Ames. Each scholar was expected to 
furnish her own work, but man}^ times mothers didn't have 
anything suitable. I always had something for those who came 
without, so it was very seldom the one who came and said, 
'My mother didn't have any work,' was allowed to 'play 
off' with that excuse. The town did not then, as now, furnish 
material. We once made a small patchwork quilt and sold it, 
and the holders Avhich were made were sold ; so the spare cash 
was used to buy thread and needles for those who neglected to 
furnish their own." Miss Crane is the daughter of Ebenezer 
Paul and Sarah Stowe (Clarke) Crane, born in Dedham and 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 257 

educated in its public schools to the end ol a four years course 
in the High School. She resides in Dedham. 

Dorus Franklin Howard was appointed Master of the 
Avery School in September, 1880. He was the son of Erastus 
and Calista (Larrabee) Howard of East Hard wick, Vt., and 
was educated in the Academies of Peachamand Barre, Vt., and 
the Bridge water State Normal School. Feb. 3, 1874, he was 
united in marriage to Georgia M. Lander in Boston. After 
twenty years of devoted service to the Avery School, and 
seemingly in the mid-career of his usefulness, Mr. Howard 
died, April 6, 1901. The school committee placed on record 
their high appreciation of his long and faithful services. 

From Feb., 1880, to Feb., 1886, Flora Claribel Ingraham 
was a teacher in the Avery School. She had taught in Dover 
from Sept., 1879, to Feb., 1880. From Feb., 1886, to Sept., 
1888, she taught in Waltham, from the last date to the present 
has taught in Cambridge. As in all her previous engagements, 
she is still doing grammar school work and with entire success. 
She is the daughter of George Lewis and Nancy Angenette 
(Butterworth) Ingraham, born in South Dedham, educated 
there and in the Normal School of Providence, E. I. She still 
resides in her native town. 

Frank Morton King was master of the Colburn School 
1880-81, having previously taught three years in Bridge water. 
After leaving Dedham he was master of the Washington 
School of Quincy two years, sub-master in the Bigelow ten 
years, in the Gibson, Dorchester District, Boston, four years, 
and master of the Minot eight years. He has also taught eight 
years in the Boston Evening High School. He is the son of 
Francis D. and M. A. King of Bridgewater ; educated at the 
Academy, High School and State Normal School of his native 
town. He married first Cerilla R. Richardson ; second Eliza- 
beth Crawford ; resided at 231 Bushnell Street, Dorchester, 
Jan. 12, 1904. 

During the winter of 1880-1 Marietta Genevieve Metcalf 



258 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

was assistant teacher in the Oakdale School ; from the fall of 
1881 to March 1, 1884 was mistress of the Endicott. She is 
the daughter of Ellis and Catherine (Devine) Metcalf, educated 
in the Dedham schools, receiving a diploma for four years in 
the High School. She married Frank N. Partridge, and on 
Jan. 24, 1904, resided in Ashmont. 

The Endicott School 1880-81 was well instructed by Ada 
Maria Frost, and the next twenty-three years, 1881 to 1904, 
the Oakdale has had the benefit of her teaching. She had 
previously taught in Lexington ; but Dedham owes her a large 
debt for long and devoted service. She is the daughter of John 
Hodgman and Elizabeth (Low) Frost, and a native of Maine. 
She was educated in Concord, Mass., and by a four years 
course in the Fraraingham Normal School, and here we are 
tempted to quote : ' ' How often it happens that the most use- 
ful lives are described in the fewest words." 

The Colburn School, primary department, was in charge 
of Cerilla Rosalie Richardson, from 1880 to 1882. She had 
previously taught very successfully in Dover, Medway and 
Newton. She was a native of Winthrop, the daughter of 
Howard and Abby (Crosby) Richardson, educated in the Bos- 
ton Grammar and High Schools. She was united in marriage 
to Frank Morton King, and resided in Bridgewater where she 
died Feb. 24, 1884. 

From Sept. 1880 to April 1882 the Fisher School was in 
charge of Lizzie Catherine Tucker, who taught in the Everett 
School of Norwood from 1882 to 1892, and was principal of 
the Guild School of the same town from 1892 to 1898. She 
is the daughter of George Harris and Ann Frances Tucker, 
born in Boston, and educated in the Norwood public schools, 
and the Rev. Calvin S. Locke's private school. April 6, 1898, 
she was married in Boston to Edwin M. Stanton Chandler, and 
April 1, 1904, resided at 39 Porter Street, Taunton. 

From Sept. 1880 to Jan. 1884 Helen Frederica Page taught 
in the Avery and Ames Schools about an equal time in each ; 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 259 

from Jan. 1884 to June 1889, in the New Britain, Conn., 
Normal School ; from Nov. 1889 to June 1894, in the Willi- 
mantic Conn., Normal School, and in the Harvard School, 
Chicago, since Sept. 1894, to the present time. She has been 
doing the excellent work which her position implies and 
demands. She is the daughter of Frederick A. and Mary 
Crane (Drake) Page, born in Dedham, and educated in her 
public schools, receiving a four years diploma at the High 
School, and graduating from the Salem State Normal. Her 
present P. O. address is 3158 Prairie Avenue, Chicago, 111. 

Dedham's first kindergartner was Delia Flint Starrett who 
taught in the Ames School from 1881 to 1884. Before her 
kindero^arten trainino; she tauo^ht in Charlton Schools from 1873 
to 1877, after itduring nearly three years, 1878 to 1881, she was 
engaged in a private kindergarten on Newbury Street, Boston. 
She is the daughter of Charles Thomas and Sarah Sprague 
(Healey) Starrett, born in Thomaston, Maine, educated in the 
public schools of Charlton and Dedham, Worcester Academy, 
and by a normal course of instruction in Kindergarten with 
Mrs. S. S. Ropes in Boston. She was married Oct. 1, 1884, 
in Charlton to Frank W. White, and in 1904 they resided at 
WoUaston, (Quincy), Mass. 

The Islington School 1881-2 was in charge of Mrs. 
Myra Augusta Sweetser ; the second or third grade of the 
Ames, from 1882 to 1885. She is the daughter of John and 
Hannah P. (Noble) Spurr, born in Boston and educated in 
Stoneham Grammar and High Schools, and by special work 
with private teachers in Boston and Dedham. She was married 
in Stoneham to Francis K. Sweetser, Jan. 12, 1863, and now 
resides at Winter Hill, Somerville, Mass. 

Ellen Agnes Barden began to teach in the Avery School 
in 1882 and continued there through 1895. The daughter of 
Michael and Alice Barden of Hyde Park, she graduated from the 
Hyde Park High School, and the Dedham Training Class 
which was conducted by the Superintendent of Schools. 



260 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Henrietta Frances Howell was a substitute teactier in the 
Dedham Schools, chiefly the Oakdale, in 1882 and 1883, but 
became the efficient mistress of the Endicott in 1884, and so 
continued four years till her health failed in 1888. She is the 
daughter of John and Eliza Howell, born in Dedham, and 
educated in the public schools, receiving a diploma of the 
four years course in the High School. Her residence in 
1904 was Milton Street, East Dedham. 

In Sept. 1882, Janet Graham Hutchins began to teach in 
the Ames School, and continued about eight months when she 
was elected to a good position in the Oliver School of Law- 
rence ; in 1884 she Avas made assistant principal of the Law- 
rence Training School ; in 1887 she became principal of the 
Normal Practice School in Lewiston, Maine, and filled the 
place creditably till July, 1889. She is the daughter of George 
H. and Mary (Chisholm) Hutchins, born in Dedham, and 
a graduate of the four years course at the High School, and of 
an advanced course, the regular course of two and a half years 
with French and German added, at the Bridgewater State 
Normal. On Sept. 26, 1889, she was married to John O. 
Whitney of Barry ville, N. Y., and went to reside in Illinois, 
and in 1893 removed to Saginaw, Mich., but in 1898 they re- 
turned to Dedham which was their residence Jan. 12, 1904. 

From Jan. 1882 to April 1887 the Colburn School was 
thoroughly taught by Edward Jones Cox. Then he accepted 
the position of sub-master in the Haverhill High School and 
held it from Oct. 1887 to July 1888. In Sept. 1888, he be- 
came principal of the Norvvell High School and so remained 
till March 1890 ; then was principal of the Cohasset High until 
July 1891. From this position he went to superintend the 
schools of Sudbury, 1891 to 1894, meanwhile being a member 
of the Cohasset School Board, elected March 1892, and princi- 
pal of the Sudbury High from 1891 to July 1894. In Nov. 
1895 he began to teach in the Lowell School of Boston as 
assistant, but was elected sub-master in Jan. 1897 and so con- 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 261 

tinues. All this implies that Mr. Cox was born for a teacher. 
He is the son of John and Eleanor (Jones) Cox of Dedham, 
where he was educated till he completed the four years course 
of the High School. Then he passed through the four years 
course of the Bridge water Normal. He married Belle L. Nye 
of South Scituate Oct. 6, 1883. Besides teaching, Mr. Cox 
finds time to write papers for patriotic societies, such as The 
Sons of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Descend- 
ants, being himself a member of both these organizations ; also 
to compose songs, both words and music, for school use. His 
present residence is 64 Brooks Avenue, Newtonville, Mass. 

The Islington School from 1882 to 1887 was in charge of 
Mary Crowell Jenkins, who had previously taught in South 
Yarmouth and Dennis. After leaving the Islington she had 
charge of schools in Everett and Yarmouth, and was at one 
time a member of the School Board of Yarmouth. She was 
the daughter of Elisha and Mary Gage (Crowell) Jenkins of 
South Yarmouth, where she died in June, 1895. 

From 1882 to the present Jennie Vincent McManus has 
been a highly approved teacher in the Quincy School. She is 
the daughter of Patrick Henry and Bridget (Coleman) Mc- 
Manus, born in Dedham and educated in her public schools 
from primary to graduation of the four years course in the 
High. Her present residence is at 16 Mt. Vernon Street, 
Dedham. 

Harriet Agnes Randlett was a teacher in the Colburn 
School one year, 1882-3, and in the Ames two years, 1883-5, 
having previously taught in Berlin and Marlborough. She is 
the daughter of Nathaniel and Maria Louisa (Robbe) Randlett, 
born in Northborough, educated in the public schools of her 
native town. She was married there April 28, 1886, to 
Edward Irving Morse of Marlborough, where she has since 
resided ; and her occupation, as she herself describes it, *' has 
been simply that of housekeeper and home-maker for her hus- 
band and two sons." 



262 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

From April, 1882, to the last of June, 1888, the Fisher 
School was well instructed by Lilla Fayette Rowley. She was 
the daughter of Lafaj^ette and Eliza Ann (Worth) Rowley, 
born in Edgartown, educated in Rev. C. S. Locke's Private 
School and in a Normal Training class of the Superintendent 
of Dedham schools. She was married Oct. 1, 1888, at the 
Norwood Baptist Church to Woodhull W. Davis of Brooklyn. 
Mr. and Mrs. Davis both taught in Jamesburg, New Jersey, 
till his death in Dec, 1895. Mrs. Davis has been seven years 
a teacher in the "Connecticut School for Boys" in Meriden, 
Conn., and is now so employed. 

From 1882 to 1890 Mary J. Shea was an assistant in the 
Quincy School. After many inquiries I can give no other 
f9,cts, but it is evident from the length of her service that she 
was an approved teacher. 

In the spring term of 1882 Genevieve Smith took charge 
of the primary class of the Dexter School for a year ; then 
taught the same grade till 1885 in Milford ; in 1886 took the 
primary class of the Falmouth Centre School till 1890, when 
she returned to Dedham to be mistress of the Burgess School, 
1890-91. She is the daughter of Eliphalet and Mary Ann 
(Cochrane) Smith, born in Foxboro, educated in Miss Gray's 
private school, Foxboro, and the public schools of Dedham. 
She was married at Dedham, Sept. 9, 1891, to William Har- 
rison Hewins of Falmouth, Mass., where she still resides. 

Elizabeth Florence Dowd began to teach in the Oakdale 
School in 1883 and was transferred to a more responsible place 
in the Avery in 1885, remaining there till January, 1887. She 
is the daughter of Felix and Mary Dowd, born in Dedham, and 
received a diploma of four years at the High School. She was 
married to Dr. J. F. Ferry in Dedham, Jan. 27, 1887. Their, 
residence in January, 1904, was at 263 Elm Street, Cambridge, 
Mass. 

The teacher of Drawing in the High School and Superin- 
tendent of that branch in the town from 1883 to 1886 was M. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 263 

Louise Field, a resident of Boston, and graduate of the Massa- 
chusetts Normal Art School, where she was for several years a 
teacher. Her home was with the Rev. Dr. Alonzo Miner, she 
being a niece of Mrs. Miner, where she was treated with the 
affection due to an own daughter. 

The Dexter School for one year, 1883-4, was in charge of 
Bessie Emilie Howes, who had previously, 1880 to 1883, taught 
in East Dennis. Since leaving Dedham she has taught as follows : 
3884 to 1893 in the Welch Training School, New Haven, 
Conn., six years as critic teacher, three years as principal; 
1893-4 principal of Training School, Fitchburg ; from 1894 to 
1897, she was assistant superintendent of schools in Worces- 
ter; 1897-8 she was a student at Radcliffe College. Since 
1898 she has been principal of the Bridgeport, Conn., City 
Normal School. She is the daughter of Alexander and Bessie 
Emilie Howes, born in Billerica, and educated in the schools of 
East Dennis and the State Normal of Bridgewater. She 
resided in Bridgeport, Conn., Feb. 1904. 

Two years, 1883 to 1885, Carrie A. Lyle was an efficient 
teacher in the Ames School. In the town report her residence 
was given as Gloucester. 

Laura Howes Robbins was a teacher in the Avery School, 
1883 to 1885. She had taught in Dennisport, Harwich and 
Canton. After leaving Dedham she taught in Leominster eight 
years ; in Leicester seven years, and was teaching in Dennis, 
Jan. 1904. She is the daughter of Daniel Howes and Jedida 
Snow (Sears) Bobbins, born in West Brewster, educated in the 
public schools of Dennis where she resided Jan. 21, 1904. 

The Oakdale School 1883-4-5 had for its master, Charles 
Morris Sargent, who had previously when a student in college 
taught several terms of ungraded schools in Bradford and 
Concord, N. H. After graduating he was for a year principal 
of a grammar school in Concord; then a year of Hopkinton 
Academy, and the following year of Contoocook Academy in 
the same town. From Dec. 1881 to Jan. 1883 ^he was princi- 



264 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

pal of the High School of Bolton, Mass. In 1892-3-4 he was 
principal of the public schools of Eatontown. N. J. ; was also 
principal of the Evening School three years in Dedham, and 
one year in Maiden. He is the son of Charles Dennis and Keziah 
(Sanborn) Sargent, born in Springfield, N.H., educated at Colby 
Academy, New London, N. H., and Bates College, Lewiston. 
Me. ; degrees A. B. and A. M. class of 1879. In 1886 he 
was elected to the school board of Dedham. At that time he 
was a clerk in Boston Custom House ; then for a while was in 
a Teachers' Agency, Boston. In 1894 he took a position in 
D. Appleton & Co's publishing house retaining it eight years ; in 
Oct. 1902, connected himself with the publishing firm of Mer- 
rill & Baker, New York City, having charge of their Boston 
territory, and was located at 587 Tremont Street, Feb. 6, 1904. 

From Feb. 1883 to Oct. 1885 the master's assistant in the 
Avery School was Emily Wheeler Strong, She had previously 
taught seven terms in district schools at Orford and Plymouth, 
N. H., and five months in Plymouth, N. H. Normal School. 
Since leaving Dedham she has taught in the Harvard School of 
Cambridge one term, and in the training department of the 
Wisconsin State Normal School of Milwaukee, seventeen and 
one-half years. She is the daughter of Ephraim Bayley and 
Amanda Jane (Page) Strong, born in Orford, N. H. ; edu- 
cated in the district schools of her native town, and at the Ply- 
mouth, N. H. State Normal. She is now, 1904, a special 
supervisor in the Milwaukee Normal School, but her summer 
residence is at Orfordville, N. H. 

For the summer term of 1884 Carrie Maria Bassett was 
first assistant in the High School. She taught seven years in 
the Sandwich High, and at least five years in that of Braintree 
prior to 1890. She was the daughter of Joseph S. and Abbie 
(Richards) Bassett, born in Sandwich, Feb. 19, 1856, and 
educated in the public schools of Sandwich, and under private 
teachers in Boston . The date of her death which was reported 
from Sandwich has not been ascertained. 



or DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 265 

In Jan. 1884 Maria Antoinette Humphreys began her 
teaching by a term of six months in the Colburn School. 
Then she taught a year in Mrs. Monroe Chickering's School in 
Dorchester. In the fall of 1886 she took a position in the 
Avery ; from there was transferred to the Ames in Jan. 1888, 
where she remained two and a half years. In Sept. 1893 she 
began in Norwood and taught two years ; in 1895 she went to 
Miss Davis's private school in Roxbury where she taught five 
years ; in 1900 she opened her own private school in Dedham 
which is now, 1904, in its fourth year, and taught in her own 
house. She is the daughter of James and Mary (Ripley) 
Humphreys, born in Jamaica Plain, educated in the schools of 
Dedham, having received a four years diploma at the High 
School. Her residence and prii^ate school are at 9 Marsh 
Street, Dedham. 

In 1884 the Burgess School and in 1885-6 the primary 
department of the Colburn were in the care of Sarah Elizabeth 
Drugan. She is the daughter of William F. and Mary E. 
Drugan, born in South Dedham, educated in the Dedham 
Schools, receiving a diploma at the High School for three 
years. She was married in 1887 to F. L. Gould of East Wal- 
pole where she now resides, and is a member of the Town 
School Committee. 

Guy Carleton Channell was the popular sub-master in the 
High School from Sept. 1884 to April, 1888, when he was 
elected Superintendent of the Dedham Schools, which office he 
retained till April, 1890. He was also Superintendent of 
Schools in Melrose, 1890 to 1893 ; since that date he has been 
engaged in business. He is the son of Daniel Chapman and 
Phoebe Ann (Pinkham) Channell, born in Charlestown, edu- 
cated in the public schools of Reading, and the Bridgewater 
State Normal. He was an excellent teacher, and many think 
he made a mistake when he abandoned that calling. He 
resides in Dedham. 

The Dexter School was in charsre of Carrie E. Kendall 



266 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

during the school year 1884-5, since which date we have not 
been able to trace her history. 

From Sept. 1884 to the end of June 1886, Mary Mc- 
Skimmon taught a class in the Avery School, having previously 
taught a year each in Hampden, Me., and Pocasset, Mass. 
Leaving Dedham she was a teacher in Boston six years ; three 
in the Dwight School and three in the Dudley. The last 
eleven years she has been principal of the Pierce School Of 
Brookline. She is the daughter of David and Mary (Clarke) 
McSkimmon, born in Bangor, Me., and educated in the Bangor 
High School. Her residence Feb. 1904, was at 13 Putnam 
Street, Roxbury, Mass. 

From 1884 to 1904 Mary Elizabeth Mulkern has been a 
faithful and efficient teacher in the Ames School. An 
excellent scholar herself, the year spent by the children 
under her instruction must give them just notions of thorough 
learning. She is the daughter of John and Jane (Abberton) 
Mulkern, born in Dedham, and educated in a private school 
taught by the Sisters of Charity, and by a four years course in 
the High School. She resides in Dedham. 

One year from Sept. 1884 Caroline M. Taylor was first 
assistant in the High School. She had just graduated from 
Boston University, College of Liberal Arts. Though she was 
entirely successful as a teacher, her health forbade the con- 
tinuance of her w^ork, and we are not aware that she ever re- 
sumed it. She was a resident of Somerville, Mass. 

The first assistant of the High School from Sept. 1885 to 
June 1897 was Carrie Aldcn Carroll, who had previously 
taught one term in the High School of Torrington, Conn. She 
was the daughter of Sanford and Clarissa (Alden) Carroll, 
born in Dedham ; a graduate of the four years course both at 
the Dedham High School and the Bridge water State Normal. 
Her twelve years service in the High School was most credit- 
able. In 1897 she was married to George F. Joyce, Jr., 
principal of the school, and resided in Dedham till she died 



OF DKDIIAM, MASSA(niUSFOTTS 2(17 

gniutly lamented, June, 7, 11)02. She had be(!n for years an 
eanuist vvorkca- in various orii^ani/aiions for the .social, moral 
and int(iilc(^tual advaiKMiiiicnt of her native town. 

Th(5 fourth grade; of the Av(Ty School from 1885 to .June 
1892 was in charge of J(),se})hine Amanda Dustin who had 
previously been a teacher in the public schools of Methuen, 
and in the Robinson Female Sc^minary of Exeter, N. II. She 
is the daughter of William Lfiwcy and Grata (Pollard) Dus- 
tin, born in Low(!ll, Mass., imd educatc^l in its public schools 
and the Abbott Acad(;my of Andover. Since heaving Dcdham 
she has not been a teacher, and now, March, 1!)()4, r<;sid<!S at 
280 Rock Stre<!t, Fall Riv(n\ 

Mary Vincent (iilson has rendered the Dedliam Schools 
nineteen years of a(!C(^ptable S(?rvice ; one in the Burgess, 
188r)-(i; fiv(! in the Dexter, 188f5-18in, and thirteen in th(; 
Ames, 181)1-11)04. She is the only daughbsr of licrnard and 
Mary (Foley) (iilson, born in Dcjdhani, educated in her public 
schools, receiving a four years diploma at the High School, im- 
proving the Teachers' Training Class eonduct(Kl by the Su[)cr- 
intend(^nt of Schools, also the Boston Normal Musi(; School. 
II(;r Hisidcnce is on Fast Str(!ct, Dcdham. 

Nellie May Howard was a teacher in the Av(!ry School, 
]885-(), her only ex[)(!ri(^nce in that 0(;(-upation. She is the 
daught(;r of Samuel and Fllen Maria ((luild) Howard, born in 
South Dcdham, now Norwood, and educated in the Norwood 
Schools and Boston Normal School, class of 1885. On the 
18th of May, 1887, she was married to Hainan ('hapin P>ab(toek 
in Norwood, where in March, liJOl, she resided at 48)1 Wash- 
ington Street. 

Two years, 1885 and 188(1, Willard FIlis Jones was princi- 
pal of the Oakdale S(;hool ; he has also taught in S(!a (vliff, N. 
Y. and South Orange, N. J. He is the son of Horatio and 
Antoinette Louisa (FIlis) Joncis of Med way, where he was 
cducatcid in the public schools, and later in the Bridgewater 
State Normal School. He was married July 22, 181J0, to 



268 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Helen Clinton, at Sea Cliff, N. Y. His residence was in 
Millis, Mass. March 30, 1904. 

From 1885 to 1887 the Riverdale School was in charge of 
Julia Gertrude Kennedy ; since that time to the present, 1904, 
she has taught with no interruption a grade in the Ames School, 
where we need not say she has done highly acceptable service. 
She is the daughter of John and Mary (Ryan) Kennedy, born 
in Dedham, and educated in her schools from primary through 
a four years course in the High School. She resides on 
Eastern Avenue, Dedham. 

The first grade of the Ames School since 1885 has been 
taught by Maria Frances Kingsbury. Nineteen years of con- 
scientious work on plastic minds is an honorable record. She 
is the daughter of Edgar Henry and Maria Frances (Byrne) 
Kingsbury, born in Dedham, educated in the public schools, 
from primary through a four years course in the High School, 
supplemented by a course in music at the New England Con- 
servatory, 1884-5. She resides on High Street, Dedham. 

The Dexter School for the year 1885-6 was in charge of 
Arabella Elizabeth Park who had taught in the Everett of Nor- 
wood the two previous years. After leaving the Dexter she 
opened a private school in her home at Norwood and managed 
it several years very successfully. She was the daughter of 
Rev. Harrison G. and Elizabeth (Bird) Park ; born in Bur- 
lington, Mass., and educated in the Dedham Schools, receiving 
a diploma for four years in the High School, also graduated 
from the Boston Normal School in 1873. By natural gifts 
and solid acquirements she was well qualified for the duties of 
a teacher, but her chosen work was not to continue. After an 
illness of several weeks she died in Norwood, Nov. 24, 1891. 

Ella F. Stroclin was an assistant in the Oakdale School in 
1885. Her later history has not been learned though careful 
inquiry has been made. 

Gertrude Parsons Wilder taught a class in the Ames 
School from 1885 till 1889. She had previously taught in 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 269 

Brockton. She is the daughter of David Parsons and Mary 
Harding (Partridge) Wilder, born in Winnetka, Illinois, edu- 
cated in the schools of Medway and the Bridgewater State 
Normal. In Jan. 1904, she resided in Medway. 

In the autumn of 1886 Sarah Breck Baker opened a pri- 
vate school in Dedham Village and continued it till the sunnner 
of 1898. Beginning with ten pupils her number increased 
considerably, reaching at one time a maximum of thirty, ages 
varying from five to fifteen years, the majority passing on to 
the High School. She is the daughter of Thomas Joel and 
Cynthia Ann (Breck) Baker, born in Medfield, educated in 
Dedham Schools including the four years course of the High. 
Of late years up to the present she has managed the business 
of the firm of Thomas J. Baker & Son, established by her 
father on Court Street, Dedham. 

James Horace Burdett began to teach in Dedham as master 
of the Oakdale School in May 188(). In October of the same 
year he was put in charge of the Ames School and so continued 
with marked success till Dec. 1894. He is the son of ,Ierome 
Smith and Emily Ilolman (Faulkner) Burdett of Clinton, a 
graduate of the Bridgewater Normal School, and since Dec. 
1894, has been a sub-master in Boston Schools ; resident chiefly 
in Dedham. 

Lucy Alice Colburn was an approved teacher in the Oak- 
dale School from 1886 to 1892, having previously spent one 
year as Assistant in the Pierce Primary School of Brookline. 
She is the daughter of James Perrin and Cordelia (Merrifield) 
Colburn, born in West Dedham where she was educated in the 
public schools and in Rev. C. S. Locke's Private School, sup- 
plemented by a course in the Brookline Training School. She 
was married Oct. 19, 1893, to Ellmer Lewis Curtiss at Newton 
Upper Falls. At the present time, Jan. 12, 1904, they reside 
in Hingham. 

Since 1886 music in the Dedham Schools has been under 
the direction of Samuel Winkley Cole. During most of this 



270 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHJ&RS 

period he has been Director of Music in the Brookline Public 
Schools ; of Solfeggio and the Public School Music Department 
in the New England Conservatory, and of Peoples' Singing 
Classes in Boston, and entirely successful in all these positions. 
Under his instruction the pupils of the High School have made 
such proficiency as to qualify them to give concerts and ora- 
torios that attracted good audiences in Boston and elsewhere. 
With his direction "The Creation" of Haydn was given 
entire in Boston at Tremont Temple in April, 1890, and " The 
Messiah " of Handel, in Dedham at Memorial Hall in March, 
1891, by the Dedham High School Chorus, assisted by pro- 
fessional soloists. He is the son of Converse and Mary Ann 
(Winkley) Cole, born in Meriden, N. H., and educated at 
Kimball Union Academy, the New England Conservatory of 
Music and by private instructors. He resided in Boston, Jan. 
1904. 

An instance of long and acceptable service in teaching is 
seen in Margaret Remick Lynas who began to teach in the 
Avery School in 1886 and was still doing her honest work 
there, Jan. 1905. She had taught in East Bridge water in 
1885. She is the daughter of Jackson and Margaret (Moodie) 
Lynas, born in Glasgow, Scotland. She began her education 
in the public schools of Glasgow, continued it in the Fisher 
and Ames, and graduated from the four years course of the 
Dedham High School in 1884. Her present residence is in 
Islington, Westwood. Her generous assistance in the prepara- 
tion of this record deserves acknowledgment. 

Ethel A. Littlefield had charge of the Burgess School from 
1886 to 1888. Other facts relating to her history we have not 
found means to obtain. 

From 1886 to 1888 Annie G. Malloy was First Assistant 
in the Avery School. Her merits as a teacher soon proved a 
temptation to some city committee who by more liberal pay 
removed her from Dedham, but whither we are not able to 
state. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 271 

Alice Maud Spaulding taught drawing in the Dedham 
High School from Sept. 1886 to June 1887. She also taught 
the same with good success in Boston. She is the daughter of 
Erastus Gardner and Frances Maria Spaulding, born in Ded- 
ham, and a graduate of the three years course at the High 
School, and also of the Boston Normal Art School. In 1889, 
March 28, she was married in Dedham to Herbert L. Hemen- 
way, and for a time resided in Springfield, Mass. 

From Sept. 1887 to July 1892 Helen Maria Canning was 
a very capable teacher in the Avery School ; in Oct. 1893, she 
entered the service of the City of Boston in the Lincoln 
District where she still teaches. She is the daughter of 
Francis and Mary F. Canning, born in Dedham, received a 
four years diploma in the High School, studied in the Advanced 
Class of the Boston Girls' High, and a year in the Normal to 
June 1887. East Dedham was her residence, Nov. 1904. 

Alice Estelle Draper did excellent work in the primary 
department of the Colburn School four years, 1887 to 1891. 
She is the daughter of Frank Willard and Louisa (Ellis) 
Draper, born in West Dedham, and educated in the schools 
there and one year at the High School, receiving a diploma for 
four years course. She also enjoyed the advantages of the 
Bridgewater State Normal School. Sept. 29, 1891, she was 
united in marriage to Fred Augustus Baker, and they have since 
resided in Dedham. 

In 1887-8 Emma Frances Mack taught in the Avery 
School the seventh grade, having previous experience in 
Amherst, N. H. one term, and in Holliston, Mass. one year 
and a half. After leaving Dedham she was supervisor in the 
Bridgeport Conn. Training School. She is the daughter of 
William Abbott and Mary (Batchelder) Mack, born in Am- 
herst, N. H., and educated in the Lowell High School, Fram- 
ingham State Normal and Boston University. She was mar- 
ried April 15, 1891, in Lowell, to Samuel H. Thompson, 



272 THE SCHOOLS AND .TEACHERS 

President of the Thompson Hardware Co., and her present resi- 
dence is School Street, Lowell. 

In 1887-8 Emma J. Shackley was mistress of the Isling- 
ton School. Other information is wantinsr. 

From Sept. 1887 to June 1891 Anna Rebecca Slafter 
taught drawing in the High School, also was supervisor of 
drawing in the other public schools of the town. She is the 
daughter of Carlos and Rebecca (Bullard) Slafter, born in 
Dedham and educated in its public schools, receiving a diploma 
of the four years course of study in the High School. In 1883 
she graduated with honor from the full course at the Boston 
Normal Art School ; and, from that year to 1887, taught pen- 
manship and drawing in the State Normal School at Westfield. 
April 24, 1895, she was married in Dedham to Calvin Country- 
man of Rockford, Illinois, where she now resides, finding time 
in her leisure hours to cultivate art as her favorite pursuit and 
recreation. 

From 1887 to 1892 Adelaide Isabella Smith taught in the 
Avery School. She is the daughter of Alfred Monroe and 
Mary Jane (Keagan) Smith, born in Dedham and educated in 
the Dedham High and the Bridge water State Normal Schools. 
For several years after teaching in Dedham, she was in the 
employ of the State, as agent to look after the poor children 
placed in homes. At present she resides in Dedham and is 
bookkeeper for the Dean Chase Co. of Boston. 

In the Oakdale School, 1887 to 1891, the First Assistant 
was Alice Augusta Smith. She first taught in Randolph ; then 
in North Stoughton ; but soon returning to the North Gram- 
mar School of Randolph had charge of the fifth and sixth 
grades till she came to Oakdale. From the Oakdale she went 
to Somerset and has taught ever since in the same room in the 
North Primary School. She is the daughter of George and 
Sarah (Tucker) Smith, born in Randolph, and educated in her 
schools including the High School course, and was residing 
there Jan. 22, 1904. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 273 

From Oct. 1888 to June 27, 1890 Mrs. Annie E. Abra- 
hams was Second Assistant in the High School. She was edu- 
cated in the Maine Wesleyan Seminary and the Female College 
at Kent's Hill, Me. She left Dedham to teach in some Western 
city, the name of which is not ascertained. 

The Burgess School had as a master 1888-9 Frank A. 
Balch. I have found no one able to give further information 
concerning him. 

The work of instruction in Sewing was discontinued for 
several years, but was resumed in the Spring of 1888, when 
Mary Elizabeth Cormerais was put in charge of it. She taught 
nine hours each week, having three classes at the Ames, three 
at the Avery, and one each at the Quincy, Dexter and Oak- 
dale. Her statement is as follows : " The first work given 
was a cloth on which to practise the different stitches before 
making a bag to keep their materials in ; a pillow slip was the 
next piece of work, and then aprons, towels and skirts were 
made. In the third year mending, darning and button holes 
followed." She found the work interesting but had not the 
strength to continue it after 1890. She is the daughter of 
Henry and Mary Otis (Sampson) Cormerais, born in Dedham, 
educated in its schools including three years in the High 
School, and in 1904 was still a resident there at 22 Linden 
Place. 

From 1888 to 1902 the principal of the Oakdale School 
was Elmer Lewis Curtiss. He had taught in Milford 1884 to 
1886; Bridgewater, fall of 1886; Stoughton (now Avon), 
1887 to 1888. He is the son of Augustus B. and Francis A. 
(McCannon) Curtiss of Derby, Conn., born June 11, 1861. 
He was educated in the Dwight School of New Haven, Conn, 
and the Bridgewater State Normal. Married Lucy Alice Col- 
buj*n, Oct. 19, 1893, at Newton Upper Falls; superintended 
the schools of Sandwich, Bourne and Marshpee, 1892-3 ; of 
Hingham and Cohasset, 1893 to 1898. Was admitted to the 



274 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Massachusetts Bar March, 1898, and has practised law in Hing- 
ham to the present time. 

Emma Gertrude Dudley from 1888 to 1896 was a very 
acceptable teacher in the Avery School. The daughter of 
Dean and Mary E. Dudley of Boston, she was trained in the 
Elementary Schools of Boston, the High School of Wakefield 
and the Salem Normal School. She is now, Jan. 1904, teach- 
ing in New Dorchester, her residence being at 8 Armandine 
Street. 

Amy Isabel Gay was mistress of the Fisher School four 
years, 1888-1892, having previously taught in HoUiston, Mil- 
ford, New Braintree and Middleboro. After leaving Dedham 
she taught in Norwood. She is the daughter of William and 
Henrietta (Travis) Gay, born in Holliston, and educated in its 
public schools and the Framingham State Normal. Feb. 8, 
1899, she was married in Peabody to Ealph Thomas Jackson, 
and her residence March 25, 1904, was at 14 Beethoven Street, 
Koxbury, Mass. 

The Islington School from 1888 to 1891 was in charge of 
Clara Carroll Hewins. She then taught as substitute in the 
Ames a few months, and from there went to teach in Jamaica 
Plain. There for the last eight years, 1896 to 1904, she has 
been the efficient First Assistant in a large private school for 
boys and girls. She is the daughter of George and Harriet 
Whiting (Carroll) Hewins, born in Dedham, educated in the 
public schools ; a four years graduate of the High School and 
of the Bridge water State Normal. She resides in Dedham. 

In April 1888 George Frederic Joyee was elected sub- 
master of the High School. He had previously taught the 
High Schools of Wolfboro, N. H. and Merrimac, Mass. His 
specialty while sub-master was chemistry and physics. In 
Sept. 1892, he became Principal of the school and still, Jan. 
1905, fills that responsible position. He is the son of George 
Frederic and Reliance Hudson (Tucker) Joyce, born in Bos-, 
ton, and educated in the Boston and Brookline public schools 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 275 

and Harvard College. He married in 1884 Villa Arietta 
Saunders at East New Sharon, Maine ; in 1898, Aug. 25, 
Caroline Alden Carroll in Dcdham, and in 1904, Dec. 24, 
Marion Josephine Wendell in Boston. Mr. Joyce is active iqi 
various organizations for the moral, social and intellectual im- 
provement of Dedham. In every good cause his help is 
available. 

In April 1888 Nellie Genevieve Kelley began to teach in 
the llivcrdale School and continued there till June 1889 ; then 
from Sept. 1889 to June 1895, was in the Quincy ; from Sept. 
1895 to April 1902 in the Avery; April 14, 1902 began teach- 
ing in the West Concord Street School, Boston, where she is 
at present, Jan. 20, 1904, "happily employed." She is the 
daughter of Patrick and Mary Kelley, born in Dedham, edu- 
cated in the Dedham Schools including the four years course of 
the High School faithfully pursued. She resides in East 
Dedham. 

From April 1888 to June 1890 Sarah Jane Storms was an 
Assistant in the High School, having previously taught in 
Leicester Academy. She is the daughter of Simmon Pena and 
Sarah Jane (Stevens) Storms, born in San Francisco, Cal. 
She fitted for college in the Newton High School, and gradu- 
ated at Wellesley College, degree of B. S., 1883. She left 
her position in the High School to pursue studies in Germany. 
Since her return she is said to have devoted herself to her 
favorite pursuit of teaching, but where we have not been able 
to ascertain. 

Dolly Lepha Wales was mistress of the Endicott School 
six years, 1887 to 1893. She was then transferred to the 
Oakdale and in 1903 had charge of the fifth and sixth grades. 
Now, in 1904, some change in her grade may have occurred, 
but that she is still in the school is to the scholars and their 
parents cause for felicitation. She is the daughter of Samuel 
Milton and Abbie (Simons) Wales, born in Williamstown, 
Vt., educated in the Dedham Schools, receiving a well-earned 



276 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

four years diploma at the High School. She resides in Oak- 
dale, East Dedham. 

The Burgess School was in charge of Mr. S. B. Buck, 
1889-90. What he did before or has done since has not been 
ascertained. 

Lucy A. Hall taught in the Avery School from 1889 till 
1891. She is said to have married a Mr. Stevens, resided 
near Boston, but died soon afterwards. 

Laura Madeline HeAvins was a teacher in the Ames School 
one year, 1889-90. The next year she taught in Boston, and 
in 1888-9 had taught in Medfield. She is the daughter of 
James and Jane Georgianna (Stedman) Hewins, born in Bos- 
ton, and educated in the Medfield public schools and the Fram- 
ingham Normal. She was married in 1891 to Henry Bradford 
Lewis at Medfield and resided in Andover, Mass., but at the 
present time lives in Lawrence. 

In 1889-90 Susan H. Lane was a teacher in the Ames 
School. Other information concerning her has been sought in 
vain. 

Lizzie Margaret Shine from 1889 to 1891 was Secretary 
of the Superintendent of Schools, and substitute teacher; in 
1891 she took charge of the Islington School, in which she 
faithfully served the Town of Dedham six years, and West- 
wood six. Having passed the Boston Teachers' Examination, 
she resigned Islington in June, 1903, and has since been teach- 
ing both day and evening classes in the Eliot School of Bos- 
ton. She is the daughter of James and Anna M. Shine, born 
and educated in Dedham, a graduate of the four years course 
at the High School, and in 1904 was still a resident of 
Dedham. 

The Union School in 1890-1 was under the instruction of 
Emily Bertha Stefan. She is the daughter of Adelbert and 
Anna Veronica Stefan, born in Boston, educated four years at 
the Dedham High School, and later a graduate of the Bridge- 
water State Normal School. She taught first in Lakeville. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 277 

Annie G. Carpenter taught a grade in the Ames School 
1890-91. Other particulars are wanting. 

In September, 1890, Mary Rosetta Fitch was elected 
second assistant in the High School; resigned in June, 1891. 
She had taught two years in the Stetson High School of Ran- 
dolph. She is the daughter of Seymour Boughton and Mary 
(Gregory) Fitch, born in Walton, N. Y., prepared for college 
in Walton Union School, and graduated from Vassar, A. B. 
in 1887. She was married Sept. 2, 1891, in Charlestown, to 
Rev. Charles C. Pierce, and went to reside in Oneonta, N. Y. 

From Sept., 1890, to Dec, 1891, Mary Chapman Hardy 
was an able assistant in the High School, having previously 
taught one year in a private school, Washington, D. C, two 
years in Clinton College, Kentucky, and one year in the Ar- 
lington High School. Since leaving Dedham she has taught 
in the Cambridge Latin School, residing at 54 Lake Street, 
Arlington, Mass. She is the daughter of Rodney Joel and 
Sarah Elizabeth (Tenny) Hardy, born in Cambridge and ed- 
ucated in the public schools of Arlington, and at Smith College. 

Two years, 1890 to 1892, the Dexter School was in charge 
of Susan B. Holmes. I have failed to obtain additional facts 
of her history. 

From 1890 to 1894 Isabella Jane Mulkern was a teacher 
in the Ames School. She is said to be teaching now in Boston. 
She is the daughter of John and Jane (Abberton) Mulkern, 
born in Dedham and educated in the public schools through the 
four years course of the High School, and is still a resident of 
the town. 

The Riverdale School in 1890-'91 and '92, and in 1892-3 
the Oakdale had as one of its teachers Cora Belle Wheeler, who 
had previously taught in Hudson and Goffstown, N. H., Clin- 
ton, Mass., and Nashua, N. H., from which place she was called 
to Dedham. Later she taught again in Nashua, then from 
1897 to 1903 in Somerville, Mass. She is the daughter of 
George Freeman and Charlotte (Bos well) Wheeler, bom in 



.,/ 



278 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

HoUis, N. H., Dec. 25, 1864. She attended Hollis High 
School and later graduated from the High School of Nashua. 
She was married Sept. 16, 1903, to Willis Henry Blanchard 
of Nashua. She taught school 18 years, has been a frequent 
contributor to educational journals, and is treasurer of the 
Nashua Woman's Club, residing at 18 Courtland Street, where 
she says her " duties as home keeper command her chief 
-attention." 

Wilhelmina Nora Dranga began her art instruction in 
Dedham as supervisor of drawing and teaching in the High 
School, Sept. 1891 to June 1892 ; continued it as teacher in 
the High School, 1894-5 ; as supervisor, 1895 to 1903. She 
was also supervisor in Chelsea, 1892 to 1903 ; instructor in 
the Mass. Normal Art School, Boston, 1891 to 1903. She is 
the daughter of Niles Gabriel Olousen and Emily (Ogden) 
Dranga, born in Otsego, Wisconsin ; educated in San Diego, 
Cal. public schools ; San Jose, Cal. Normal Training School ; 
University of Southern Cal., Los. Angeles; Mass. Normal Art 
School, Boston, and by private instruction in Boston. She 
was married April 4, 1903, to Charles F. F. Campbell in 
Boston, where she resided Jan 20, 1904. 

Edith Giles was elected Second Assistant in the High 
School, Sept. 1891 ; resigned Jan. 1892. She is the daughter 
of John J. and Abbie (Stevens) Giles, born in Boston, edu- 
cated three years in the Dedham High School and later at the 
Chauncey Hall of Boston. She taught for several years a 
private School in Oakdale. 

In 1891 the Burgess School was under the instruction of 
Gertrude L. Merritt. 

For one year, 1891-2, Jennie Mary Thorne taught a class 
in the Ames School. She had previously taught in Wayne, 
Winthrop, Rangely and Deering, Me., between 1880 and 
1887; in WalUngford, Conn., 1887 to 1890. She is the 
daughter of James H. and Mary Jane (Norris) Thorne, 
born in Wayne, Me., educated in the public schools of her 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 279 

native town, and in both the regular and advanced courses of 
the Farmington State Normal. She was married Aug. 15, 
1872, to Alfred F. Johnson of Wayne, 111., where she now 
resides. Since her marriage, Mrs. Johnson has taught two 
years in the public schools of Wayne, including one year as 
principal of the High School ; has served two years on the 
School Board ; has taught several terms a private school for 
young children, using Kindergarten methods, and is thus 
engaged at the present time, Jan. 1904. No one can doubt 
her statement that she is " still much interested in educational 
matters." 

The Union School, 1892-3, was instructed by Winifred 
E. Bates. 

During the year 1892-3 the fourth grade of the Ames School 
was in charge of Flora Emeline Billings. In Sept., '93, she 
left to teach the fifth grade of the Webster School, Cambridge, 
where she remained three years. In 1896 she began to teach 
in the (yhristopher Gibson School of Boston, and has taught in 
succession the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades, the last 
of which is now under her care. She is the daughter of George 
Russell and Emeline Matilda (Dickenson) Billings, born in 
Canton, educated in her public schools, and at the Bridgewater 
State Normal. At this date, Jan., 1904, her home is in Canton. 

Mary Blanchard Bonney taught the primary department 
of the Colburn School in 1892, and the fifth grade of the Ames 
in 1893. Ill health forbade her teaching longer. She was the 
daughter of Henry Clay and Florence (Bridge) Bonney, born 
in Dedham, educated in the Dedham High and the Bridgewater 
State Normal Schools. She removed to Denver, Colorado, 
and died there Sept. 19, 1895. Her memory is fondly cher- 
ished by many friends. 

From 1892, about two years, Harriet Eliza Brazee was a 
teacher in the Avery School, having previously taught at 
Miller's Falls, Montague. She is the daughter of Andrew and 
Laura Victoria (Smith) Brazee of Sheffield, where she began 



280 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

her education, continuing it at the Elmwood Seminary, Glen's 
Falls, New York, N. E. Conservatory of Music, Boston, and 
in special branches under private teachers. Since leaving Ded- 
ham she has made special study of Physiology and Hygiene 
and modern methods of caring for the sick. As Physician's 
Assistant she has studied medicine and is at the present time 
Vice-President of "the Ladies' Physiological Institute of 
Boston and vicinity," which was formed in 1848, and incor- 
porated in 1850. Its object is thus defined : *' To promote 
among women a knowledge of the human system, the laws of 
life and health, the means of relieving sickness and suffering." 
Miss Brazee's business address is 131 Tremont Street, Boston ; 
her residence, 254 West Newton Street. 

In September, 1893, Isabel E. Clark was appointed to 
the primary division of the Colburn School, and remained one 
year ; then she was transferred to the second grade of the 
Avery ; two years later to the sixth grade of the same school, 
from which she resigned in 1902, to teach in Boston. She is 
the daughter of James T. and Isabel C. Clark, born in Dedham 
and educated in her schools, graduating from the four years 
course of the High in 1891 ; also from the Boston Normal in 
January, 1893. Her residence in Jan., 1904, was at 569 
River Street, Mattapan, Mass. 

*'Sloyd" was taught by Anna V. Comins from 1893 
to 1897 in the Old High School House on Highland Street. 

In February, 1892, Mabel Gair Curtis was appointed as 
Assistant in the High School, a position she filled very credit- 
ably till June, 1903. She had taught from Sept., 1890, in the 
Westboro High School, and is now, Jan. 20, 1904, a teacher 
in the Somerville Latin School. She is the daughter of Nelson 
and Jane Elizabeth (Gilbert) Curtis, born in Boston, educated 
in the schools of Newton Centre ; High School two years ; 
Girls' Latin of Boston, class of '86; and Wellesley College, 
class of '90. Jan. 20, 1904, hei: residence was 829 Boylston 
Street, Boston, Mass. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 281 

Blanche I. George was assistant teacher of drawing in 
1892-3. 

The Endicott School of 1893-4 was in charge of Edna 
Hilton, who resigned her position for a more attractive one in 
the High School of Randolph, remaining there from 1895 to 
1898, since which time she has continued to teach in the 
Brockton High School. She is the daughter of Rev. Charles 
Augustus and Sarah Adelaide (Carpenter) Hilton, born in 
Frankfort, Illinois, completing her education in the Chelsea 
High School and Boston University. She resided in Brockton, 
Jan. 5, 1904. 

For one year, from Sept., 1892, C. Belle Kenny, S. B., 
was the science teacher of the High School, having previously, 
1887 to 1888, taught in Bryn Mawr School, Baltimore, Md. ; 
Mt. Holyoke College, 1888 to 1890; High School, Ports- 
mouth, N. H., 1890 to 1892. From 1893 to 1896 she taught 
in Howard Seminary, West Bridgewater ; and since 1896 has 
been to the present teaching in the Quincy Mansion School, 
Quincy. She is the daughter of Samuel G. and Susan (Nason) 
Kenny, born in Boston and educated in the schools of that city, 
including primary. Grammar, High and Institute of Tech- 
nology. Her home residence is at 94 West Street, Reading, 
Mass. 

In 1893-4 Marion Helena Lamson was an assistant in the 
High School, having had some previous experience as a sub- 
stitute teacher in the Northampton High School. Since teach- 
ing in Dedham she has done private tutoring only. She is the 
daughter of Charles M. and Helena F. (Bridgman) Lamson, 
born in Worcester and educated in its public schools, St. 
Johnsbury (Vt.) Academy, and Smith College. Her residence 
in March, 1904, was in Prescott, Arizona. 

Katherine Elizabeth Lahey was a teacher in the Avery 
School from Nov., 1893, till June, 1895. She was born in 
Stoneham, the daughter of John, Jr., and Katherine Lahey, 
and received her education in the public schools of Stoneham, 



282 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

and the Bridgewater Normal. In Jan., 1904, Miss Lahey was 
teaching in the Brimmer School, Boston. 

Since 1893, Dorothy Helmer McManus has been the sub- 
stitute teacher for the Dedham schools, and has also done the 
office work for the school department. In this position her 
work has been effective and satisfactory to the committee and 
Superintendent. She is the daughter of Patrick Henry and 
Bridget (Coleman) McManus, born in Dedham, and educated 
in the public schools, including a three years course in the High 
School. The uniform excellence of her instruction saves the 
schools from loss in case of the unavoidable absence of the 
regular teachers. She resides at 16 Mt. Vernon Street, Ded- 
ham, but reports every morning of school days at the Super- 
intendent's office. 

As her first school, Alice Catherine Smithick taught the 
Colburn one year, 1895-f). She has since taught the Dunbar 
Street School of Abington, 1896 to 1898, and the Keith 
School of Brockton, 1898 to the present time, Jan., 1904. She 
is the daughter of Maurice and Mary Frances (Keegan) 
Smithick, born in Brockton, and educated in the High School 
of that city and the Bridgewater State Normal. She resides at 
84 Ford Street, Brockton. 

From 1893 to 1896 physical culture was taught in the 
Dedham schools by Olive F. Moakler. 

Sarah J. Probert took charo^e of the Burgess School in 
1892 and retained that position till the discontinuance of that 
school in 1896. 

Nov. 30, 1893, the Riverdale School was put into the care of 
Florence Rogers Abbott, and so continued till 1898 when she 
was transferred to the Endicott and remained there till 1902. 
Then she obtained a year's absence to take a special course in 
kindergarten work in Boston with Miss Wheelock. In Sept. 
1903, she was appointed principal of the Oakdale kindergarten 
where she is now employed. She is the daughter of J. Var- 
num and Lucy J. Abbott, bora in Danvers, educated in the 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 283 

Dedham schools, three years in the High, and in the Normal 
Kindergarten at Cambridge. Her residence is in Oakdale, 
East Dedham, Mass. 

Henry O. Ryder taught drawing in the Dedham schools 
a part of the year 1893. 

The Dexter School from 1892 to 1896 had for its mistress 
Hattie Bruce Shaw, who had taught a large ungraded school of 
50 pupils in Mattapoisett four years. Leaving Dedham she 
studied a year in the Boston Normal Art School, then taught 
arithmetic and drawing one term in the Hyannis State Normal, 
then three years in the Normal at Castleton, Vt., Sept., 1897, 
to June, 1900. From Sept., 1902, to the end of 1903 she 
taught in one of the cottages of the Lancaster State Industrial 
School for girls ; at present she is the supervisor of the schools, 
having the oversight of the work in the eight cottages. She 
is the daughter of Bruce Freeman and Eliza Angelica (Cook) 
Shaw, born in Mattapoisett, and educated in the public, Gram- 
mar and High Schools of her native town, and the Bridge water 
State Normal. Her home address, is Mattapoisett ; present, 
Lancaster, Mass. 

The master of Oakdale School, 1893-4, was Edward 
Franklin South worth, the son of Edward and Harriet (Hill) 
Southworth, born in Quincy and educated in Boston public 
schools, Adams Academy of Quincy, Bridgewater Normal 
School, and Harvard University. He married Gertrude Van 
Duyn, April 19, 1900, in Syracuse, N. Y., where he now rep- 
resents the publishing firm of Ginn & Co., residing at 314 
Highland Avenue. 

Annie G. Spencer was the first teacher of Sloyd employed 
by the town, teaching through the school year of 1892-3 in the 
building formerly occupied by the High School. 

Alice L. Williams from Sept., 1892, to Dec, 1902, "ten 
years without one day of absence," was mistress of the Fisher 
School. She was the daughter of Rinaldo and Susan (Cranch) 
Williams, born in Hyde Park and educated in the Greenwood 



284 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

and High Schools of her native town and the State Normal at 
Bridgewater, graduating in June, 1892. She also had a good 
education in music. She died Dec. 21, 1902, one week after 
closi ng her work as a teacher. In the school report of West- 
wood for 1902, Kev. C. S. Locke pays a handsome tribute to 
her worth in which he says : *'She was a well qualified and 
diligent teacher and inspired many of her pupils with her own 
alacrity for work and fondness for study. She was devoted to 
her pupils and cultivated in them a love for natural science, 
good literature and general intelligence." With the assistance 
of a musical club and her pupils, she gave a concert, Nov. 7, 
1902, to raise money for the decoration of her school-room. 
After her death the proceeds were used to place a good portrait 
of Miss Williams and other pictures in the school-room, where 
they now " reflect the bright and cheerful spirit of the former 
teacher." 

From April, 1892, to Nov, 30, 1893, Isabella F.Winslow 
had charge of the Oakdale School, having taught the Union 
School the previous year. 

From 1892 to 1894 Grace Louise Hayes was a teacher in 
the Avery School, having taught in HoUiston, 1891-2. After 
leaving Dedham she was an assistant in the Grove Street Train- 
ing School for Teachers of Pawtucket, R. I., 1894 to 1896; 
Principal of the Beverly Training School, 1896-'99 ; and 
assistant in Brookline, 1899-1900. She is the daughter of 
George Nathaniel and Eliza Ann (Leavitt) Hayes, born in 
Portland, Maine, Jan. 29, 1872 ; educated in Peabody Primary, 
Grammar, and High Schools, and the State Normal of Salem. 
She was. married to Ozro Miller Field, of Beverly, Aug. 22, 
1900, and resided in 1904 at 31 Central Street, Beverly. 

For one year, 1892-3, the Oakdale School was in charge 
of Nathan Gardner Kingsley. His previous experience was 
two years in ungraded schools of New York and Illinois, six 
years at Cambridge, N. Y., 1883-1889; three at Palatine 
Bridge, N. Y., 1889 to 1892; the last two schools included 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 285 

all grades, primary to High, all under his care as master. He 
left Dedhara to be principal of the Doyle Grammar School of 
Providence, R. I., and was still in charge of it, Jan., 1904. 
He is the son of Joseph and Harriet (Waterman) Kingsley, 
born at Clifton Park, Saratoga Co., N. Y. ; educated at the 
Albany Normal School and Union College. On Dec. 24, 1885, 
he was married at Round Lake, N. Y., to Elizabeth Sherman, 
and now resides at 39 Forest Street, Providence, R. I. 

In 1892-3 Alice Edith May taught the fourth grade of the 
Avery School. She had previously instructed schools in East 
Wejanouth, Ayer Junction and Brewster. Since leaving 
Dedham she has been teaching in Cambridge to the present 
time, 1904. She is the daughter of Ira W. and Mary Ella 
(Baker) May, born in Avon, and educated in the public 
schools there and in the State Normal School at Bridgewater. 
Her present residence is Cambridge, Mass., 92 Magazine 
Street. 

From 1893 to 1904 the Dedham High School was fortunate 
in retaining the services of Marion Josephine Wendell, although 
she spent two years 1898 and 1899 in Europe, chiefly study- 
ing in Berlin. Just before coming to Dedham she taught a 
year in Cambridge. She is the daughter of George William 
and Mary Ellen Wendell, born in Plainfield, N. J., where she 
began her education, continuing it in the Cambridge Latin 
School, Boston University, and the Berlin Universitj^ Ger- 
many. She was married in Boston, December 24, 1904, to 
George F. Joyce, Jr., and resides on Court Street, Dedham. 

Adelaide Dickinson Billings was a teacher in the Colburn 
School 1894-5 ; of the fourth grade, Ames, 1895-97 ; of fifth 
grade, 1897 to March 1898 when she left to go to Cambridge, 
where she taught the advanced fourth grade in the Washington 
School, 1898 to 1900. She was married in Canton, Aug. 22, 
1900, to John Cotton Billings, instructor in Normal training 
in the East High School of Minneapolis, Minn. She resided 
in Minneapolis till the death of her husband, Nov. 25, 1892, 



286 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

when she returned to be with her parents, George Russell and 
Emeline Matilda (Dickinson) Billings in Canton, her native 
town. 

Drawing was taught to the schools below the high in 
1894-5 by Mjra D. Billings. 

One of the Assistants of the Ames School, 1894-5, was 
D. Frances Campbell. She taught in the Avery from 1896 
till 1899. 

From 1894 to 1897 Winthrop Newton Crocker was mas- 
ter of the Oakdale School, having previously taught in Palmer 
and East Weymouth, a year in each. He is the son of Charles 
and Mary Elizabeth (Morse) Crocker, born in Brewster, edu- 
cated in Brewster public schools, and by preparation for col- 
lege in a private school, and a course in the Bridge water State 
Normal School, with four seasons of summer school, receiving 
A. B. at graduation from the Western University of Chicago. 
He was married in Aug. 189G, at Weymouth, to Florence E. 
Bates. After leaving Oakdale he superintended the schools of 
Dartmouth and Westport five and a half years, and since Jan. 
1903, has been supervising principal of the Lincoln School, 
Hancock District, Quincy, where he resided Jan. 25, 1904. 

Alice Josephine Keelan began to teach as the Assistant 
of Miss Shaw in the Dexter School in 1894 ; in 1897 she be- 
came principal of the same school, and is very efficient in that 
position at the present time. She is the daughter of Michael 
and Catherine Elizabeth (Roche) Keelan, born in Dedliam, and 
educated in the Avery School, Notre Dame Academy, Boston, 
and Miss Symond's Kindergarten Normal. She resides at 366 
High Street, Dedham. 

Florence Fay Kinney had charge of the third grade of the 
Ames School seven years, 1894 to 1901, She had previously 
taught the East Street School of Suffield, Conn. She is the 
daughter of Timothy AVilliam and Ann Elizabeth (Fay) Kin- 
ney, born in Suffield, Conn., educated in a private school at 
Windsor Locks, and graduated at the New Britain Conn. Nor- 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 287 

mal School. Miss Kinney is now Assistant Matron at the 
Easton Sanitarium, Easton, Pennsylvania. 

From 1894 to 1898 Isabelle Orr Nutter was an Assistant 
in the High School and never taught elsewhere. She is the 
daughter of Edmund Winslow and Harriet (Alden) Nutter, 
born in East Bridgewater where she attended the High School 
four years, then the Girls' High School in Boston one year, 
finally the Bridgewater State Normal the four years course. 
She resigned from Dedham High School in 1898 to travel 
abroad ; was employed in an office in Boston, 1899 ; was mar- 
ried Sept. 11, 1900, to Walter Bradford Southgate at New- 
ton Highlands, where she now resides at 83 Forest Street. 

In 1894 and 1895 Irene Bidwell Roby taught in the Col- 
burn School as an assistant of the principal and has taught in 
no other school. She is the daughter of Edgar F. and Isabel 
(Meek) Roby, born in West Dedham, educated in the Colburn 
School, and was a resident of Westwood in 1904. 

Leila Helen Sprague taught in the Oakdale School one 
year, 1894-5. She resigned to take a position in the Stough- 
ton of Boston, retaining it four years ; then was appointed 
Master's Assistant in the Washington of Cambridge, where she 
is still employed. She is the daughter of William Pendleton 
and Marilla Marks (Parker) Sprague, born in No. Islesboro, 
Maine, and educated in Somerville Grammar School, Quincy 
High, and Bridgewater State Normal ; resides in Cambridge. 

The Endicott School for one year, 1894-5, had as Master 
Frederick Wilson Swan. The next year Mr. Swan taught the 
eighth grade of the Ames ; the next five years he Avas Princi- 
pal of the school, leaving it Oct. 4, 1901, for the submaster- 
ship of the Chapman Grammar School of East Boston, where 
he is now teachino:. He is the son of Frederick Marcellus and 
Emma Frances (Mayo) Swan, born in Boston, educated in the 
Stoughton and Dorchester High Schools, Bridgewater State 
Normal, and Teachers' School of Science, Boston. He belongs 
to the Swan family that used to furnish so many teachers about 



288 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

1860 that it was a common saying in Dorchester, " every other 
teacher is a Swan." He was married Aug. 8, 1901, at Ashley 
Falls, Mass., to Lydia Mabel Munson. They reside at 469 
Meridian Street, East Boston. As avocations, Mr. Swan is 
First Assistant in the East Boston Educational Circle ; Secre- 
tary and Treasurer of Teachers' School of Science Association ; 
Vice-President of the Young Men's Congregational Club ; 
Chm. of Science Committee N. E. Conference of Educational 
Workers ; and President of the Monday Night Club of East 
Boston. 

Catherine Elizabeth Walters, from Feb. 1 to the end of 
the school year, 1894-5, taught in the Avery School, fourth 
division. She was the daughter of Louis and Catherine Eliza- 
beth Walters of Quincy, and was educated in the Quincy pub- 
lic schools and the Bridg-ewater Normal. 

The fifth grade of the Avery School, from 1895 to 1898, 
was instructed by Maude Jennie Bray. Since 1898 she has 
been the Principal of the Washington Primary of Taunton. 
She is the daughter of John Wilson and Julia (Oliver) Bray, 
born in Middletown, Conn., and educated in the public schools 
of Hartford, Ct., the High School of Taunton, Mass., and the 
State Normal of Bridgewater. Her present residence is at 20 
Cedar Street, Taunton, Mass. 

During two school years, 1895 and 1896, the Endicott 
School was in charge of Harriet Byram. This was her only 
school teaching. She is the daughter of Joseph William and 
Helen Amelia (Townsend) Byram, born in Raynham ; educated 
in the grammar schools of Brockton and its High School, class 
of 1893 ; and in the Bridgewater Normal, class of 1895. She 
was married July 12, 1897, in Brockton, to Fred Whitman 
Glasier, and since that time has resided in Brockton, engaged 
with her husband in the business of photography. 

From January, 1895, to Jan. 9, 1897, Mary Porter 
Cushing was a teacher in the High School, having previously 
taught in the High School of Orange. She is the daughter of 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 289 

Daniel L. and Ellen C. Gushing of Hartford, Vt., and was ed- 
ucated at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H., Tilden 
Seminary, West Lebanon, N. H., and Wellesley College. She 
was married Jan. 10, 1898, at Quechee, Vt., to Dr. H. K. 
Shatswell of Dedham, and resides at 67 School Street. 

Herbert Seymour Gay was master of the Ames School 
from June, 1895, to April, 1896, having previously taught in 
a grammar school in Belchertown, and as principal of one in 
Slatersville, E. I., and as a substitute in Westfield. After 
leaving Dedham he was sub-master of the Webster School ; 
Latin High of Cambridge ; Principal of the Putnam Evening 
School, East Cambridge, and the Lyman Evening School, East 
Boston. He is the son of Edward Baker and Marietta Sibley 
(Blodgett) Gay, born in Belchertown, and educated in the 
Grammar and High Schools of his native town, and a four 
years course of the Westfield State Normal. In 1902 he grad- 
uated from Harvard Medical School : then spent two and one- 
half years in the Hospitals of Boston ; and has recently been 
appointed Assistant Surgeon in the Gynaecological Dept. of 
Boston Dispensary. His office and residence, Oct., 1904, was 
at 171 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston. 

The month of December, 1895, Clara Clifton Howland 
taught in the Colburn School ; from Jan., 1896, to April, 1898, 
in the Avery, seventh grade ; from April, 1898, to June, 1900, 
the fifth grade of the Ames. Before coming to Dedham she 
was a teacher in East Bridgewater and North Raynham ; since 
leaving Dedham she has taught in the Christopher Gibson 
School, and now resides in Dorchester. She is the daughter 
of John Otis and Clarissa Kingman (Brown) Howland, born 
in East Bridgewater, educated in West Bridgewater Ele- 
mentary, East Bridgewater High, and Bridgewater State 
Normal, Schools. 

Winifred J. Kenney was third assistant in the Avery 
School, 1895-6. 

From Sept., 1896, to June, 1897, Edna Frances Alger 



290 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

taught the eighth grade of the Ames School, having previously 
taught one year in Peabody. Leaving Dedham she taught the 
eighth and ninth grades in Winthrop five years. She is the 
daughter of Charles Francis and Catherine Alger, born in 
Hingham, and educated in the primary schools of Watervliet, 
N. Y., the grammar of Abington, Mass., Hingham High 
School and a four years course of the Bridgewater Normal. 
She was married Oct. 25, 1902, in Winthrop, to George Hatch 
Townsend and resides at *' The Peabody" in Ashmont. . 

The sixth grade of the Ames School from 1896 to 1903 
was instructed by Bertha Vinton Cobb who had taught pre- 
viously two years in the Carpenter School of Attleboro. In 
the public schools of that town and in the Bridgewater State 
Normal she had been prepared for her successful work. She 
is the daughter of A. Vinton and Mary Simmons (Brown) 
Cobb of Attleboro. In 1904 she resided in Brookline, and 
was teaching in the Pierce grammar school. 

For the last eight years, Jan. 1896 to 1904, the Oakdale 
School has been fortunate in the tuition of Mae Leavitt Hayes, 
who had previously taught in Attleboro, Mass. and Goffstown, 
N. H. She is the daughter of George Nathaniel and Eliza 
Ann (Leavitt) Hayes, born in Portland, Maine, and educated 
in the primary, grammar and high schools of Peabody and the 
Salem State Normal School. With such advantages aiding 
good natural abilities the result is never doubtful. 

From 1896 to 1904 Elizabeth Ellen Henderson has been a 
faithful teacher in the Avery, her only school, in which she 
now has charge of the third grade. She is the daughter of 
Henry A. and Elizabeth (Roundy) Henderson, born in Marble- 
head and educated in its High School, and later attending a 
private School in Boston. When not engaged in teaching her 
residence is in Swampscott, Mass. 

From 1896 to 1904 Mary Adelaide McClearn has given in- 
struction in needle work in all the Dedham Schools. She is 
the daughter of Henry Thomas and Mary Adelaide (Cassell) 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 291 

McClearn, born in Boston, educated in the Ames and Iligii 
Schools, receiving at the latter a diploma of four years, and 
at "The Emerson College of Oratory," Boston. Her resi- 
dence is in Dedham. 

In April, 1896, Harriet Quimby took charge of the sixth 
and seventh grades of the Colburn School and so continued to 
1898. She had previously taught the primary department of 
the Centre School of Westford a year and a term, April, 1888, 
to Dec, 1889. In Sept., 1895, she was elected teacher in 
Ludlow, Mass., Longmeadow District; but resigned in April, 
1896. She was the daughter of Ira B. and Lucy Ann (Raynes) 
Quimby : born in East Boston ; educated in Adams School, 
Wollaston ; Thayer Academy, Braintree, and the Bridgewater 
State Normal School. Her last residence was Maiden. She 
died Dec. 30, 1898, at the home of her brother in Philadelphia, 
Pa., whither she had gone for her health. 

From 1896 till April, 1899, Hattie Bartlett Sears was a 
teacher in the Quincy School. She is the daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. Bartlett Sears, born in Hyde Park and educated in the 
Grammar and High Schools of her native town, and the Bridge- 
water State Normal. She was married Oct. 31, 1899, at Hyde 
Park, to Brenelle Hunt, Principal of the Model School of the 
Bridgewater State Normal, and resided in Bridgewater, March 
16, 1904. 

In the High School, 1896 to 1900, Annabel Stetson was 
an assistant teacher, having a previous experience of five years 
in the High Schools of Brunswick and Portland, Maine, and 
of nine years in Miss Wesselhoeft's Private School of Boston. 
After a period of rest following her work in Dedham, she re- 
sumed teaching in the Brunswick High School, and was thus 
employed March 10, 1904. She is the daughter of Joseph and 
Maria E. (Brown) Stetson, born in Brunswick, Me., and ed- 
ucated in the High School of her native town, the Boston 
Normal, and as a special student at Cornell, Radcliffe, the 
Berlitz School of Languages, and various private courses. She 



292 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

has been a member of the Boston Browning Society, May- 
flower Descendants, (five lines of descent,) and is officially 
connected with the Maine Society of the same name ; is also a 
zealous collector of old books, china, and stamps ; and may be 
addressed at Brunswick, Maine. 

The eighth grade of the Avery School, 1896-7, was in 
charge of Flora Phillips Townsend. She was the daughter of 
John Phillips and Olive Soule (Winsor) Townsend, born in 
Bridgewater, educated in the Elementary, High, and State 
Normal Schools of that town, graduating from the four years 
course of the Normal in 1875. After teaching in the Avery 
she studied in the Boston Normal Art School, Classes A and 
B, 1897 to 1899 ; was supervisor of drawing in Abington five 
years, 1897-1902 : in Bridgewater public schools, and Bridge- 
water Model School, four years, 1898 to 1904. She was 
married Sept. 6, 1902, at Bridgewater, Mass., to Walter S. 
Little, and there resides. 

Butella E. L. Conland was a teacher in the Colburn 
School, 1896-7; from 1897 to 1904 she taught in the Parker 
and Sleeper Schools of Cambridge. She is the daughter of 
Martin and Emma (Bigelow) Conland, born in Brookfield, 
Vt., and educated in Randolph, Vt. High School, Orford, N. 
H. Academy, and the Randolph Centre Normal School. April 
20, 1904, she resided in Cambridge, Mass. 

Elizabeth Gray Diman from 1897 to 1904 has taught the 
seventh or eighth grades of the Ames School ; she had 
previously taught schools in Paxton and Southbridge. She is 
the daughter of Frank Benjamin and Lucy (Belcher) Diman of 
Holbrook where she was educated in the High School, and later 
by a four years course in the Bridgewater State Normal. 

One year, 1897, Florence May Farnham was a teacher in 
the Avery School, having previous experience in the schools 
of Soraerville. Leaving the Avery, she taught in Newton, 
and later in the City of Chicago. She is the daughter of Abner 
D. and Margaret F. (Crosby) Farnum, born in Warner, N, 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 293 

H., and educated in Simond's High School, Warner, and the 
Bridge water State Normal. As she is making this a vacation 
year for rest, she is now, Feb. 1904, residing at Hotel Russ- 
win, New Britain, Conn. 

For the school year 1897-8 Sloyd was taught by Joseph A. 
Frizzel. 

Helen Sawyer Merritt taught in the Oakdale School, 1897, 
and in the Avery 1898 to 1900. She taught in the Centre 
School of Revere, 1900-1, and in the Shurtleff of the same 
town, she has taught from 1902 to the present, Jan. 26, 1904. 
She is the daughter of Martin Van Buren and Anna Christina 
fSchaadt) Merritt, born in Chelsea, and educated in the Ded- 
ham public schools and the Bridgewater State Normal. Her 
present residence is at 61 Pleasant Street, Revere, Mass. 

In 1897 Anna Black Morton was appointed Assistant 
Supervisor and Teacher of Drawing in the schools of the town, 
and held this position till June, 1903, when she was made 
Supervisor. Meanwhile she has been, a portion of the time, 
Supervisor of Drawing in Hanover and Norwell, and of the 
Chelsea High School. She is the daughter of Charles Henry 
and Minerva Anna Morton, born in Fairhaven and obtained 
her education in its High School, Miss Tibb's Priv^ate School, 
and the Mass. Normal Art School. Her residence is in Boston, 
at Suite 4, 13 Garrison Street, and at the present time, March 
22, 1904, she continues her acceptable work in the schools of 
Dedham. 

Myra Josephine Perry is on the list of Ames teachers for 
1897-8 as Master's Assistant. She had previously been an 
assistant in the Farmington High, and the Deering High of 
Portland, Me. Since leaving Dedham she has taught in 
Leicester Academy and the High Schools of Bristol, Conn., 
Leominster and North Brookfield, Mass. She is the daughter 
of Leonard and Ella Julia Clark (Smith) Perry, born in Man- 
chester, Me., and educated in the Deering High School and 
Westbrook Seminary of Portland, Me., and Colby University. 



294 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

She is a teacher of Latin, Greek, and History, and, excepting 
Leominster, has been master's assistant in every position she 
iias held. Her residence, Oct., 1904, was North Brookfield, 
JMass. 

From 1897 to 1901, Elizabeth Tracy was third assistant in 
the High School. Slie then resigned, to teach in the South 
Boston High School, whore she is novv employed, Feb., 1904; 
also is directing Boys' Clubs in the Bigelow Educational Centre, 
South Boston. She is the daughter of Andrew and Theresa 
(Dervan) Tracy, born in Dedham and educated in her public 
schools and Radclitfe College, Cambridge. Her present res- 
idence is at 205 Colburn Street, East Dedham. 

From September, 1897, to June, 1903, Annie Evelyn 
Whittier was the efficient principal of the Oakdale School. 
She had previously been Principal's assistant in the Cobbet 
School of Lynn, and the Washington, of Cambridge. She is 
now, 1904, Principal of the Pickering Grammar School of 
Lynn. She is the daughter of Charles and Susan (Smith) 
Whittier, born in Corinth, Maine, and was educated in the 
public schools of Lynn and the Salem Normal. Her present 
residence is in Lynn. 

Beginning in the fall of 1898 Mabel Gertrude Berry had 
charge of the Avery Kindergarten until Feb. 1903. After 
that date she taught in the public schools of Boston a year, and 
is now in charge of the W. L. P. Boardman Kindergarten. 
She is the daughter of Solon Kendrick and Elizabeth Ann 
(Cummings) Berry, born in Thetford, Vt., and educated in the 
public schools and Academy of that town, and the Page Normal 
Kindergarten Class of Boston. At this date, Feb. 24, 1904,, 
she resides at 234 Franklin Street, Cambridge. 

From Sept. to Jan. 1898, Marion Nellie Darling was a 
teacher in the Ames School, having previously taught a year, 
1896-7, in the seventh and eighth grades of a grammar school 
in Amherst. Since leaving Dedham she has been Supervisor 
of Drawing two years, 1901-1903, in Attleboro, and one year, 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 295 

1903-4, in Northampton. She is the daughter of Leander 
Allen and Emma (Thompson) Darling, born in Tongaloo, 
Mississippi, and educated in the Bridgewater State Normal and 
Boston Normal Art Schools. Her residence May 15, 1904, 
was at 42 Rockview Street, Jamaica Plain. 

The seventh grade of the Avery School from 1898 to 1902 
was in charge of Marion Helen Garfield. She had taught in 
Peabody from Sept. 1896 to April 1898. She is the daughter 
of Moses Howell and Isabel (Warren) Garfield, born in Read- 
ing, educated in the public schools of Maynard, from fourth 
grade through High, and Bridgewater State Normal, fouryears 
course. She was married Oct. 15, 1902, at Maynard, to Dr. 
Frederick Prescott Drew, and now, Jan. 1904, resides at East 
Dedham. 

Cornelia Mills Gay began to teach the second division of 
the Colburn School in 1876 and managed it with rare success 
till 1885 when she was enrolled among the teachers of the 
Ames. There her work still goes on safe from all criticism, 
and a reason for deep gratitude to both parents and children. 
She is the daughter of Henry and Mary A. (French) Gay, 
born in West Dedham, and educated in the public schools of 
Dedham from primary to the end of the High. She resides in 
Westwood. I am indebted to Miss Gay for valuable assistance 
in preparing this volume, and while acknowledging this, I re- 
gret the accident which made her own record appear later in 
the volume than it should. 

In 1898-9 the Riverdale School was in the care of Mary 
Catherine Hannon who has since taught continuously and of 
course successfully in the Quincy. She is the daughter of 
Thomas and Anne (Mahoney) Hannon, born in Dedham, and 
educated in her public schools, primary, grammar and high, 
with a supplementary course in the Boston Normal School. 
Her post oflice address is East Dedham. 

From 1898 to 1901 Mary Frances Nowell was the teacher 
of Kindergarten in the Ames School, this being her whole 



296 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

experience in teaching. She is the daughter of George Foster 
and Anna Washburn (Knight) Nowell, born in Milford, N.H., 
and educated in the schools of Cambridge. Her residence in 
May, 1904, was at 373 Broadway, Cambridge, Mass. 

William Ware Locke, since 1898, has taught and directed 
manual training in the Dedham Schools. He had previous 
experience in Dover, 1878, Denver, Colorado, 1879, and Bos- 
ton Evening Schools, 188(5 to 1898. He is the son of Rev. 
Calvin Stoughton and Anne (Lincoln) Locke, of Westwood, 
where in public and private schools he was prepared for the 
Worcester Polytechnic Institute from which he graduated 
B. S. and later from Harvard University. He was the 
Superintendent of the Barnard Memorial, 1885-1893 ; Secre- 
tary of Good Government Club, N. Y., 1894-1898 ; Superin- 
tendent of Vacation Schools, N. Y., 1894-1897; Supervisor, 
Truancy Department, N. Y. 1894-1897. Since 1895 he has 
lectured and worked to promote Social Settlement Clubs, 
Temperance Societies and Boys' Clubs. June 16, 1900, he 
was married to Sarah Kendall Savary, at Groveland, Mass. ; 
and now, 1904, resides in Boston at 15 Ashburton Place. 

From Sept. 1898, to June, 1903, Christine Tilton Mans- 
field was fourth Assistant in the High School. Her previous 
experience in teaching was in Belmont, from Sept. 1893, to 
June, 1897. She is the daughter of Preston Rugglesand Har- 
riet Josephine (Davis) Mansfield, born in Lancaster, educated 
in the Dedham public schools and Smith College, supple- 
mented by a year at Radcliffe. She was married to Henry 
Cole at Dedham, Oct. 21, 1903, and remains a resident of the 
town. 

The fifth grade of the Avery School from 1898 to 1900 
was in charge of Martha Isabel Shaw, who had previously 
taught in Meriden and Plainville, Conn. She left Dedham for 
a years study in the Boston Normal, at the close of which she 
accepted a position in Weymouth, and after a year and three 
months was offered a more desirable one in New Bedford 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 297 

which she filled for the remainder of the year, then she 
received an appointment to the Sherwin School of Boston where 
she was teaching March 10, 1904. She was the daughter of 
"Walter S. and Sarah E. Shaw, born in Westville, Conn., and 
educated in the public schools of Meriden, Conn, and the State 
Normal at New Britain. Her last residence was in Boston, 
Mass., 197 St. Botolph Street, where she died May 8, 1904. 

Barbara E. Vogler was a teacher in the Ames School, 
1898-9, and in the Avery 1899-1900. She had previously 
taught in Franklin, 1897-8, and in Everett, 1898. She is the 
daughter of John Sprague and Lilian Earlc (Downs) Vogler, 
born in Concord, N. H., educated in the public schools of 
Portsmouth, N. H., Quincy High and Bridgevvater State Nor- 
mal. She was married Oct. 3, 1900, at Quincy to William 
Emerson Tower, and resided at Atlantic, (Quincy), Mass., 
Jan. 21, 1904. 

From Sept. 1898, to April, 1902, Marshall Wentworth 
assisted in the High School, having previously taught, 1894-5, 
in Mr. Teal's Select School, Plainfield, N. J. ; and from 1895 
to 1898 as principal of the High School in Winchester, Mass. 
In 1902-3 he was principal of the High School, Wareham, 
Mass. At the present time, Feb. 1904, he has charge of the 
Canton High. He is the son of Alonzo Bond and Isabel 
Sewell (Goodwin) Wentworth, born in Cambridge, and edu- 
cated in the public schools of Dcdham, Phillips Exeter Academy 
and Harvard College, A. B. 1894, magna cum laude. His 
home is still in Dedham, 562 East Street. 

John Laing Gibb began in 1899 to teach music in the 
District Schools as assistant of vSamuol W. Cole, and so con- 
tinued till 1902. He had previously much experience in pri- 
vate class instruction, and since 1892 has been Supervisor of 
Music in Attleboro and Lexington. For four years he taught 
in the People's Singing Classes of Boston, and for seven years 
has been a member of the Handel and Haydn Society of that 
city ; also for two years director of music in the Church of the 



298 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Good Shepherd, Oakdale ; for three years, of the Baptist of 
East Dedham ; for two years, of the Second Congregational 
of Attleboro ; is now Director of the Wrentham Musical 
Association. He is the son of James and Elizabeth (Laing) 
Gibb, born in Keith, Banffshire, Scotland, and educated in the 
Keith Public School and the New England Conservatory of 
Music. In 1904 he married Irene B. Smith of Attleboro, 
where he now resides at 62 North Main Street. 

The Kindergarten department of the Ames School from 
1899 to 1902 was under the care of Agnes Richards Hinman. 
She is the daughter of Charles W. and Mary (Richards) Hin- 
man, born in Chelsea, and educated at Chauncy Hall, Boston ; 
the Friends School, Providence, R. I. ; Abbott Academy, 
Andover, and Miss Garland's Kindergarten Normal Training 
School. Her residence May 15, 1904, was at 29 Albano 
Street, Roslindale, Mass. 

From Jan. 1899, to June, 1901, the Ames School had 
Lydia Mabel Munson as Principal's Assistant. She is the 
daughter of George Gilbert and Jennie (McKnight) Munson, 
born in Great Barrington, educated in the Pittsfield grammar 
and High Schools and the North Adams State Normal. She 
was married Aug. 8, 1901, at Ashley Falls, Mass., to Fred- 
erick William Swan. Their present residence, Jan. 20, 1904, 
is at 469 Meridian Street, East Boston. 

Helen Waterman's first experience as a teacher was in the 
Ames School where she was an Assistant two years from Sept. 
8, 1899, to June, 1901 ; then she taught a year in East 
Bridge water, and since Sept. 1902, her work has been con- 
tinued in Everett till the present, Dec. 20, 1904. She is the 
daughter of George Lewis and Sarah (Sawyer) Waterman, 
born in Hyde Park, Vt., and educated in the Lamoille Central 
Academy, Hyde Park, Vt. ; Peoples' Academy, Morrisville, 
Vt., and the Framingham High and State Normal Schools. 
Her residence is at 24 Pleasant Street, Everett. 

The Riverdale School, 1899-1900, was in charge of May 



or DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 299 

Hall Wentworth who had taught previously in the Phillips 
Avenue School of New Bedford, and since leaving Dedham to 
the present time, March 10, 1904, has been a teacher in the 
Kingman School of Brockton. She is the daughter of Samuel 
Marshall and Anna A. (Hall) Wentworth, born in Berwick, 
Me., and educated in the High School of Somersworth, N. H. 
and the Bridge water State Normal. Her address is 14 High- 
land Street, Brockton. 

Ellen Eliza Barker was a teacher in the Ames School from 
1900 to 1904 : the first two years of the fifth grade ; after 
Dec. 24, 1902, as Principal's Assistant ; but on June 24, 1904, 
she was elected to the ninth grade of a school in Brookline. 
Before coming to Dedham she had taught the fifth and sixth 
grades in the Atlantic Avenue School of Patuxet, R. I. She 
is the daughter of George R. and Clara A. Barker, born in 
Rutland, Vt., educated in the Fairmount Grammar and the 
High Schools of Hyde Park and the Bridge water State Normal. 

Florence Christine Boynton in 1900 took charge of the 
Riverdale School, but in October was promoted to the Ames, 
sixth grade. Before coming to Dedham she had taught one term 
in Sterling previous to her normal course, and a year in Hol- 
den after that course. She is a daughter of Henry Alonzo and 
Sarah* Augusta (Goodale) Boynton of Spencer, and obtained 
her education in the public schools of West Boylston and the 
Bridge water State Normal. 

From 1900 to 1901 Sara Arnold Browne was a teacher in 
the Avery School, having taught the previous year in the Mark 
Hopkins School of North Adams. She is the daughter of 
Charles Albert and Susan (McCullum) Browne, born in North 
Adams and educated in the public schools of that city including 
the State Normal. In the same city she was married to 
Clifford Campbell Haskins Sept. 18, 1901, and still resided 
there, Jan. 25, 1904. 

Celia Norris Burrill in 1900 was appointed Assistant in 
the Kindergarten and first grade of the Avery School, and so 



300 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

continued till Feb. 1903, when she was made Principal of the 
Kindergarten, and in Jan. 1905 held that position. She never 
has taught elsewhere. She is the daughter of Charles and 
Atossa Ellis (Pratt) Burrill of Bridgewater where she was 
educated in the public schools, Model, High and State Normal. 
When not teaching her residence is in Bridgewater. 

Beginning as Assistant in the Avery School, Feb. 1900, 
William Farwell Howe was elected principal in April, 1901. 
His previous experience had been in Nashua, N. H., 1894 to 
'96 ; North Adams Training School, 6 months, 1899, and 
Granville, 6 months, 1899-1900. He is the son of John 
Prentis and Olive Wilson (Farwell) Howe of Nashua, N. H. ; 
graduated from the four years course of the Nashua High 
School, 1891 ; from the three years course of the North Adams 
Normal, 1899. At the present time, Jan. 9, 1905, Mr. Howe 
with eleven assistants is in charge of the Avery School 
which numbers about 400 pupils. His residence is in Ded- 
ham ; his P. O. address. East Dedham. 

In June, 1900, Bertha May Layman took charge of the 
eighth grade of the Avery School and held the position about 
three years. She had previous experience as a teacher in 
Lenox and Montague, and is now teaching in Helena, Montana. 
She is the daughter of Benham and Julia Ann (Stevens) Lay- 
man, born in Middletown, New York, educated in the Adams 
HiHi and the North Adams State Normal School. Her resi- 
dence Jan. 1904, was Helena, Montana. 

In Nov. 1900, Bertha Miriam Loheed was elected tempo- 
rary assistant in the High School "in order that more time 
should be devoted to the study of English and to the general 
course." From Oct. 1901, to the present time, March, 1904, 
she has taught Latin and English literature in the Brockton 
High School. She is the daughter of William J. and Anna 
L. Loheed of Springfield, and was educated in the Brockton 
High School and Smith College, class of 1900. She resides at 
24 Newton Street, Brockton. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 301 

In 1901-2 the Riverdale School was taught by Florence 
Keyes Alexander. She had previously some experience as a 
teacher in Valley Falls, R. I., and since leaving the Riverdale 
has taught in Boston. She is the daughter of Henry R. and 
Selma Alexander, born in East Dedham, and educated in the 
Avery, High and Boston Normal Schools. Her residence is 
Chauncey Street, East Dedham. 

In 1901 Miriam Folsom Babbitt took charge of the first 
grade of the Avery School, and in June, 1902, resigned to take 
a similar position in the Claflin School of Newton ville. Before 
teaching in Dedham she had taught two years in the Shirley 
School of Winthrop. Since Nov. 1903, she has taught in the 
Pierce School of Brookline. She is the daughter of RoUin 
Herbert and Florette Adella (Bailey) Babbitt, born in Berkley, 
Mass., educated in the Taunton High and Bridgewater State 
Normal Schools. She resides in Newton Centre ; but when 
not teaching, in Berkley. 

In June, 1901, Jessie Elizabeth Burton was put in charge 
of a grade in the Ames School made up of portions of the 
second and third, but in Sept. 1902, was transferred to the 
third grade. She had previously taught in Cochituate. The 
daughter of John Lockhart and Jessie (Hunter) Burton, she 
was born in Lawrence, educated in Holyoke Public Schools, 
Hopedale High, Framingham State Normal and the Hyannis 
Summer School. Jan. 29, 1904, Miss Burton was elected to 
the third grade of a school in Brookline, and when she is not 
teaching resides in Newmarket, N. H. 

During the school year, 1901-2, Mabel Robinson Coombs 
was Master's Assistant in the Ames School, having previous 
experience in the Brick School of Colraine, Mass. Leaving 
the Ames, she taught in 1902-3 as Master's Assistant in the 
Centre Grammar of Maiden, and in 1903 took the same posi- 
tion in the Peabody Grammar of Cambridge. She is the 
daughter of Edwin Wilson and Flora (Barrington) Coombs, 
born in Shelburne, and educated in the grammar schools of 



302 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

that town, the High School of Greenfield and the North Adams 
State Normal. She resides at 8 Shepard Street, Cambridge, in 
term time ; her summer address is Bard well's Ferry, Mass. 

From Feb. 1901, to Jan. 9, 1904, Marion Frances Mad- 
docks taught the ninth grade of the Avery School, coming to 
the position after good experience in Enfield High School from 
Sept. 1899 to June, 1900 ; Norwood, seventh and ninth grades, 
Everett School, Sept. 1900, to May, 1901. She is the daugh- 
ter of Fred Herbert and Mary Elizabeth (Hills) Maddocks, of 
Foxboro, educated in the schools of Foxboro and Hopedale, 
graduating at the State Normal School in Fraraingham. In 
June, 1904, she accepted a position in Jersey City, N. J. 

In October, 1901, Lillian Gertrude Marr was appointed 
third Assistant in the High School and retains that position 
at the present time, Jan. 20, 1904. She had previous ex- 
perience in the Medway High School. She is the daughter of 
Parker and Lizzie IVIarr, born in Gloucester, educated in its 
High School and at Boston University. When not teaching 
her home is in Gloucester. 

In Sept. 1901, Jennie Allen Orendorff was put in charge 
of the fifth grade of the Avery School. Her previous ex- 
perience had been the entire charge of a primary building in 
Cranston, R. I. In Feb. 1903, she resigned for a position in 
West Newton. She is the daughter of Joseph Henry and 
Lucy Ellis (Allen) Orendorff, born in Boxborough, and edu- 
cated in the Concord High School and the Bridgewater State 
Normal. Her residence Jan. 1904 was at 1191 Washington 
Street, West Newton. 

From October, 1901, to June, 1902, Susan Pennell was 
Assistant in the first grade of the Oakdale School. She pre- 
viously had charge for two years of a primary school in Gray, 
Me. ; and after leaving the Oakdale she taught a year and a 
half in the Winslow High School, Me. She is the daughter of 
Charles Thayer and Emma Weston (Hunt) Pennell, born in 
Gray, and educated in the Pennell Institute of her native town 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 303 

and at the Boston University. June 30, 1903, she was married 
in Gray, Me., to Guy W. Chipraan, A. B., and at the present 
date, Feb. 6, 1904, resides in Winslow, Me. 

In Oct. 1901, Herbert Leslie Rand was elected Master of 
the Ames School. He was an experienced teacher : had taught 
in the common schools of Me., seventy-two weeks; had been 
principal of the Webster Grammar School, Auburn, Me., one 
year ; of the Washington, Melrose, three years, and had taught 
in the Maiden Evening School from 1898 to 1901. He is the 
son of Edwin and Susan Cynthia (Bessey) Rand, of Unity, 
Me. The Central Institute at Pittsfield and the State Normal 
at Castine, were attended by him ; and in 1897 he graduated 
at the Bridge water State Normal, the four years course. He 
was married, Dec. 26, 1899, to Bessie James Holmes of Fall 
River, and resides in Dedham. He was manager of the Win- 
dermere Summer Camp, Lake Winnecook, Unity, Me., 1903, 
and was the President of the Castine Normal Alumni Associa- 
tion of Boston, Jan. 1904. Mr. Rand resigned in Jan. 1905, 
to accept a mastership in Maiden. 

In Nov. 1901, Alice Adele Todd was elected as teacher 
of Stenography and Type-writing in the High School. She 
had before taught in the Somerville English High. She is the 
daughter of Frank and Charlotte Adele Todd, born in Charles- 
town, educated in the Girls' Latin School, Boston, and Smith 
College. The course of study, which Miss Todd was teaching, 
is optional and to be completed in two years. Those who 
excel in it may be sure of profitable and constant employment. 
Miss Todd resigned in June, 1904, to accept a position in 
Sanford, Maine. 

Laura Clarke Brooks, from 1902 till June, 1904, was a 
teacher of the first grade in the Avery School. She had pre- 
viously taught a year in Cliftondale. She is the daughter of 
Joseph Watson and Jennie (Clarke) Brooks, born in St. 
Mary, N. S., and educated in the Grammar, High and State 



304 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Normal Schools of Salem. In June, 1904, Miss Brooks ac- 
cepted a similar grade position in the city of Newton. 

Harriet Barstowe Capron was appointed teacher of the 
second grade of the Avery School, April 7, 1902. Her pre- 
vious experience was in the Brayton, Johnson and Houghton 
Schools of North Adams. She is the dau2:hter of Clement 
Lament and Sarah Jane (Halse) Capron, born in North 
Adams, where she was educated in the Grammar, High and 
State Normal Schools. Her services in the Avery were still 
retained, and she resided in Dedliam, Jan. 20, 1904. 

In 1902 Blanche Genevieve Fuller became the teacher of 
the sixth grade of the Avery School, and on June 20 was 
transferred to the seventh. She had previously taught in 
Attleboro, the Sanford Street School, 1900-1 ; the Richard- 
son, 1901-2. She is the daughter of Alfonso Tisdale and Ruth 
Augusta (Stearns) Fuller, born in Mansfield, educated in the 
High School, full course, and in the Bridgewater State Nor- 
mal. In June, 1904, Miss Fuller accepted a ninth grade posi- 
tion in Newton. 

In April, 1902, Mary Frances Gould was appointed sixth 
assistant in the High School. Her previous experience had 
been as pupil teacher in the Chelsea High, 189*5-7, and as 
assistant in the Beverly High from Sept., 1900, to May, 1902. 
She is the daughter of George Willis and Harriet (Clark) 
Gould ; born in Chelsea ; educated in Chelsea High School, 
and Radcliffe College, A. B. 1900. When not teaching she 
resides in Everett, Mass. 

September 8, 1902, Edith Austin Holton was put in charge 
of the new fifth grade of the Oakdale School. She had pre- 
vious experience in the Richardson School of Attleboro. She 
is the daughter of Seba Austin and Grace Lawrence (Pierce) 
Holton, of Way land, and completed her education for teaching 
in the Bridgewater State Normal School. In June, 1904, Miss 
Holton resigned to become a student in Boston University. 

September 8, 1902, Louise Russell Livermore was put in 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 305 

charge of the Riverdale School ; in 1903 she was transferred 
to the Quincy. She is the daughter of Edward and Caroline 
Russell Livermore, born in Watertown and educated in its 
High School, and in the Franiingham Normal. Before coming 
to Dedham she taught six months in Rutland, Massachusetts. 
In June, 1904, Miss Livermore accepted a position in Wey- 
mouth, Mass. 

Dec. 1, 1902, Bessie Mae Pooler was elected to have 
charge of the second and third grades of the Ames School. 
She had previously taught in Ashland and North Grafton. She 
is the daughter of Sumner Weston and Cora Mae (White) 
Pooler; born in South Framingham ; educated in the schools 
of Framingham, including the primary, grammar. High, and 
State Normal. She is a resident of Dedham. 

Sarah Elizabeth Smith was placed in charge of the Endi- 
cott School, Sept. 8, 1902 ; later of the Riverdale. She is the 
daughter of William Elijah and Sarah Elizabeth Smith, born 
in Amherst, and educated in the Amherst schools, and the 
Westfield State Normal. Before coming to Dedham she had 
taught three years in Grafton. June 24, 1904, she Avas trans- 
ferred to the Oakdale, second grade. 

The sixth grade of the Avery School was in charge of 
Bessie J. Welch, 1902-3; but June 23, 1903, she was elected 
to a like position in the Salem Model School. 

In 1903 Martha Mabelle Ames was appointed assistant in 
the High School. She is the daughter of Mrs. Abbie (Scates) 
Ames, born in Rutland, Illinois, educated at a High School 
for Wellesley College, and graduated A. B. 1900 ; at Radcliffe 
College, A. M. 1902. When not teaching, her home is at 24 
Holmes Avenue, Brookline, Mass. 

The assistant teacher of the Avery Kindergarten, 1903-4, 
and later transferred to the Ames, was Maud Bennett, the 
daughter of Samuel Robert and Hannah Adams (Ryder) Ben- 
nett of New Bedford. She received her education in the New 
Bedford public schools, supplemented by a course in Miss 



306 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHEKS 

Lucy Wheelock's Kindergarten Training School, Boston. In 
1902-3 Miss Bennett taught a year in Miss Bonney's Private 
School, New Bedford. Her residence is 8 Marbury Terrace, 
Jamaica Plain. 

In September, 1903, Alton Clifford Churbuck began as 
Master of the Oakdale School in a new and most elegant school 
edifice in the midst of very beautiful grounds. He had pre- 
viously taught three years in Cotuit, Mass., and two in Auburn, 
R. I. He is the son of Henry Swift and Elizabeth Wideman 
(Tripp) Churbuck, born in Bridge water, and educated in her 
public schools and the State Normal School. Sept. 1, 1903, 
at Cotuit, he was married to Florrie Chatfield, and resided at 
38 Oakdale Avenue, East Dedham. 

From January to June, 1903, Ruth Burleigh Dame was a 
teacher in the Ames School, having previously taught a private 
school in Medford. Since leaving Dedham she has taught in 
the High School of Lexington, and is now, June, 1904, teach- 
ing in the High School of Medford. She is the daughter of 
Loren Low and Nancy Isabel (Arnold) Dame, born in Med- 
ford, and educated in its public schools, and still resides in 
her native town. 

In September, 1903, Jennibelle Calef Dennett took charge 
of the seventh grade of the Avery School. She is of Ames- 
bury, the daughter of Moses Morrill and Jennie Mary (East- 
man) Dennett, trained in the public schools of her native town 
and the Salem Normal. When not teaching her residence is 
in Amesbury. 

Since Nov. 1, 1903, Isabel Rich Drew has been a teacher 
in the Ames School, sixth grade. She had previously taught 
a year and a half in Roseland, New Jersey, and a year and two 
months in Sharon, as principal of a school of four grades. She 
is the daughter of John Henry and Louise (Lancaster) Drew, 
born in Farmingdale, Maine ; educated in the High School of 
Gardiner, Me., Jamaica Plain High School, and Mount Hol- 
yoke College. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 307 

Blanche Elizabeth Hellyar was elected sixth assistant in 
the High School, 1903. She is the daughter of Samuel Henry 
and Lizzie Georgiana (Blanchard) Hellyar, born in Palmer ^ 
educated in the schools of that town and Mount Holyoke Col- 
lege. In June, 1904, she accepted a position as teacher in 
Adams. 

In 1903 Irene Colgate Hunter Hines was elected fifth 
assistant in the High School. She is the daughter of Thomas 
Colgate and Sophia Carolina Hines, born on a plantation in 
Nansemond Co., Virginia; educated at Norfolk College, Va., 
Vassar College, and in Paris, France. When not teaching, 
she lives in Northampton, Mass. 

September 8, 1903, Alice Elizabeth Joyce began to teach 
the sixth grade of the Avery School. She is a native of South 
Walpole, the daughter of Edward Francis and Mary Alice 
(Morrissey) Joyce, educated in the Framingham Normal 
Practice School, High School, and State Normal School, 
When not teaching, her home is in Framingham. 

Lillian Munson began to teach the fifth grade of the Avery 
School in 1903. The previous year she had taught in Green- 
field. She is a native of Great Barrington, and the daughter 
of George Gilbert and Jennie (McNight) Munson. Her edu- 
cation was obtained in the Pittsfield public schools, grammar 
and High, and the State Normal School at North Adams. 
When not teaching, her residence is Springfield, Mass. 

Instruction in kindergarten was given in the Avery and 
Ames Schools, 1903 and 1904, by Mary Elizabeth Lynch, who 
had previous experience in the town of Warren. She is a 
native of Boston, the daughter of Thomas Henry and Margaret 
Lynch, and the Boston public schools supplied her education. 
Her residence is at 24 Dunmore Street, Roxbury. 

Feb. 9, 1903, Ethel Rinn took charge of the fifth grade 
of the Ames School, and was later transferred to the ninth, 
having previously taught in the Adams School of Quincy. 
She is the daughter of Louis and Harriet Freeman (Warren) 



308 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

Rinn ; born in Atlantic, Mass ; educated in the Quincy School, 
Atlantic, the Woodward Institute, Quincy and the Hyannis 
State Normal School. 

Mrs. Annie Louisa Albee began to teach as Seventh Assis- 
tant in the High School, Sept. 1904, after some experience in 
Brookfield, Somerville English High and Evening Schools, 
and the Weymouth High and Chandler Normal Schools. She 
is the daughter of Charles Albert and Mary (Bemis) Rhodes, 
born in Brookfield, and educated in the Brookfield and Somer- 
ville High Schools, also by private tuition and a short course 
in the Metropolitan University. She was for a time private 
secretary to Mr. George A. Southworth, Supt. of Somerville 
schools, doing work on books he was making, also did similar 
work for Mr. J. Avery of Somerville. She was married May 
12, 1884, to Fred Lewis Albee at Brookfield ; resides when 
not teaching at 51 Putnam Street, Somerville ; when in Ded- 
ham, at 61 D wight Street. 

Gertrude Edna Billings took charge of the kindergarten 
work in the Avery School, Sept. 1904, having held the same 
position two years in Greenfield. She is the daughter of 
CharlesWesley and Abbie Olivia Billings, born in North Adams, 
educated in the Drury High School and the State Normal of 
her native town. She resides at present, Oct. 1904, at 38 
Oakdale Avenue, E. Dedham. 

Henrietta Frances Elizabeth Byam was added to the corps 
of Oakdale teachers in Sept. 1904, having taught in Quincy, 
from Sept. 1903 till the following June. She is the daugh- 
ter of Warren Stilman and Mary Ellen Byam of Carlisle, and 
was educated in the schools of Carlisle, Duxbury, Chelmsford, 
the High school of Milford, N. H. and the Bridgewater State 
Normal. Her present residence is at 150 Cedar Street, East 
Dedham ; home address, Milford, N. H. 

Adella Roxana Goodrich began to teach in the Quincy 
School Sept. 1904, having been for three years Principal of 
the Training School, and Teacher of Methods in the State Nor- 



OF DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 309 

mal of Eandolph, Vt., and previously five years a teacher in 
Everett, and several years in Nashua, N. H. She is the 
daughter of Levi W. and Martha R. Goodrich, born in Nashua, 
N. H., and educated in the public schools of that city, the 
State Normal of N. H., a special course in the Bridgewater 
Normal, and other special courses in physical and vocal cul- 
ture. She resides at 38 Oakdale Avenue, East Dedham ; 
home address, 7 Court Street, Nashua, N. H. 

Marion Chester Goward was elected an assistant in the 
Ames School Sept. 1905, and commenced her duties in Oct. 
having previously taught in Kingston and Attleboro. She is 
the daughter of Willard Kimball and Harriet (King) Goward, 
born in Bridgewater, and educated in the schools of North 
Easton and the Bridgewater State Normal. When not in Ded- 
ham her residence is North Easton, Mass. 

As a special teacher and Superintendent of Penmanship in 
the Dedham schools, the first emploj^ed was John L. Howard, 
who began his work in Sept. 1904, after much experience in 
Brattleboro and Bellows Falls, Vt., D. L. Moody's Schools, 
and in Lynn, Nahant, Winchester and Maiden. While serv- 
ing Dedham he is Supervisor of Penmanship in Maiden and 
Winchester. Teachers' Institutes and summer schools have em- 
ployed his services. He is the son of Amos and Laura 
(Boynton) Howard, born in Jamaica, Vt., and was a student 
in Leland and Gray's Seminary, Hinman's Business College, 
and Zanerian Art College. He also enjoyed the instructions of 
C. R. Wells, D. H. Farley and W. H. Kibbe. He married 
Oct. 18, 1885, Jennie May Byard, at South Londonderry, 
Vt. At this time, Oct. 1904, his residence is at 209 Main 
Street, Maiden. 

Winifred Eva Howe began to teach in the High School 
Sept 6, 1904, having previously taught in Bald win ville two 
terms, 1901-2, and in Natick High School from April, 1902, 
till July, 1904. She is the daughter of William Richards and 
Ethelyn Estella (Brigham) Howe, born in Norwich, Conn., 



310 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

and educated in the public schools and Free Academy of that 
<;ity, class of 1895 ; also receiving the degree of A. B. from the 
College of Liberal Arts, Boston University, 1901. Her home 
residence, Holden ; Dedham address, 34 School Street. 

May Christine O'Brien began to teach in the Riverdale 
School, Sept., 1904. She is a native of Ashland, daughter of 
James and Ellen (Sullivan) O'Brien, and was educated in the 
public schools of her native town and the Framingham State 
Normal. She had experience as a teacher in Ashland, eighth 
and ninth grade work; also in HoUiston, sixth grade. Her 
residence, Oct., 1904, was at 150 Cedar Street, East Dedham. 

Alice Maude Otis took charge of the fifth grade in the 
Ames School, Sept., 1904. She had formerly taught in 
Rochester, N. H., and Amesbury, Mass. She is the daughter 

of and Clara J. Otis of Rochester, N. H., wiiere she 

attended the })ublic schools and later the Plymouth, N. H., 
Training School, followed by the Framingham State Normal. 
She resides at 3(3 Willow Street, Dedham. 

Lucie Maria Ware became a teacher of the first grade in 
the Avery School, Sept., 1904, having previously taught in 
Natick. She is the daughter of Palmer and Maria F. (Wil- 
cox) Ware, born in Sherburne, and educated in Arms Academy 
and the State Normal School at North Adams. Her residence, 
Oct. 1904, w^as at 38 Oakdale Avenue, East Dedham. 

In Sept., 1904, Irma Ethyl Wing began to teach in the 
Avery School after a year's experience in the Cranch School 
of Quincy, 1903-4. She is the daughter of William (Jlarke 
and Elizabeth Wing, born in Fitchburg, educated in the Nan- 
tucket High and the Bridge water State Normal Schools. She 
resided, Oct., 1904, on Humboldt Avenue, Boston. 

Herbert Lee Sackett entered upon his duties as assistant 
teacher in the High School, November, 1904. He is the son 
of Irving W. and Maria A. Sackett, born at Smith's Mills, 
Chautauqua Co., N. Y., educated in the High School of For- 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 311 

restville, N. Y., State Normal of Fredonia, N. Y., and Brown 
University. 

The master of the South School of South Dedham, 1856-7, 
was George Wesley Mason. Later he taught in Georgia, E. 
Bethel and Brandon (Price Sem.), Vt. ; Franklin, Needham, 
and as principal of the High School of Stoneham, Mass. ; 
Hamilton and Attica (Union School), N. Y. He was born in 
Medfield, March 26, 1838, the son of George S. and Ellen B. 
Nason, educated at Madison University, Class of 1864 : 
Degrees A. B. and A. M. In 1864 he married Marriette 
Scran ton of Covington, N. Y. For the last thirty years he has 
been editor and publisher, and in general insurance and 
brokerage. He resides at 125 No. Norwood Avenue, Buffalo, 
New York. 

It has been our intention to confine our j^ersonoJ records 
strictly to the Teachers of Dedham : but we think it is proper 
to make one exception and include the present Superintendent, 
who has labored much as a 7nodel teacher and with excellent 
results during the last twelve years. Roderick Whittelsey 
Hine entered upon his duties as superintendent of the Dedham 
schools in August, 1893. As a preparation for his work he 
had devoted nine years to school instruction ; was Master of a 
grammar school in Norwich, Conn ; and principal of High 
Schools in Waterbury and West Hartford, Conn. He is the 
son of Orlo Daniel and Ellen Whittelsey Hine ; born in 
Lebanon, Conn., and- educated at Williston Seminary, East- 
hampton, Mass., and at Yale College, graduating in the class 
of 1884. He was married Nov. 23, 1888, to Mary A. Kirk- 
ham, at Newington, Conn., and since 1893 has resided in 
Dedham. The present condition of the schools in this town is 
ample proof of his professional ability. His valuable assist- 
ance in furnishing materials for this record is hereby gratefully 
acknowledged. 



312 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

The Present Condition of the Dedham Schools. 

In the foregoing pages we have seen how the schools of 
Dedham originated, and chiefly by means of their personnel, 
we have traced their growth for two hundred and sixty years. 
Let us now take a rapid survey of their present condition. 

Such a view may not be of special interest to those citi- 
zens of Dedham who give them their patronage and fostering 
care, and consequently are familiar with their beneficent work ; 
but we trust it will gratify the desire of some to see the final 
product of this long period of almost silent evolution. But, 
before making this survey, it may be well to recall the fact, 
that the original Dedham for which the school of 1644 was 
established embraced territory which is now distributed among 
eighteen different towns, and on this territory there are at the 
present time not less than a hundred public and private schools, 
which employ over four hundred teachers. These eighteen 
towns are Belli ngham, Dedham, Dover, Franklin, Foxborough, 
Hyde Park in part, Medfield, Millis, Natick, Needham, Nor- 
folk, Norwood, Sherborn in part, Walpole, Wellesley, West- 
wood, and Wrentham. 

An inventory of Dedham's school property need not 
wound the pride of any citizen. It will be remembered that 
her first schoolhouse, built near the meeting house in 1649 by 
John Thurston, cost eleven pounds and three pence, so that 
less than sixty dollars was all the money then invested in 
school accommodations. In 1904 the value of Dedham's school 
investment is given in the town book as $276,275. 

An inspection of the large and convenient school rooms, 
excellent furnishings, some of them even elegant, the abundant 
supplies of books and everything else necessary for effective 
school work causes a person of advanced years to question 
whether he was not born in the wrong half of the nineteenth 
century. In the most costly of our school edifices the outlook 
from all the rooms is so delightful that it is said every 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 313 

one of the lady teachers congratulates herself on having the 
pleasantest room in the building. 

The first schoolmaster in Dedham was one who, as a 
member of Clare Hall, Cambridge University, England, 
had received the degree of Master of Arts. His salary was 
20£ or one hundred dollars per annum, by vote of the town ; 
during the year ending February 1st, 1904, the amount paid 
for salaries of Dedham teachers was over $35,000, a case of 
expansion of which no one need be ashamed. 

In the present town of Dedham, which, as I have in- 
timated, occupies only a small fraction of the area of the 
original town, there were seven schools with a total enroll- 
ment of 1592 pupils on the last day of December, 1904. Of 
this number twenty-five attending the High School came from 
three other towns. This enrollment includes the three Kinder- 
gartens which are hardly to be considered as part of the graded 
school course, because the training in them is not required as a 
preparation for entering the primary class, or first grade of the 
grammar school. The Kindergartens, when in session, occupy 
the time of six teachers and enroll ninety-five children from 
three and a half to five years of age, with an average attendance 
of seventy-five. An inspection of these schools reveals their 
utility as gateways to the noble edifice of public school instruc- 
tion. They are most effective as civilizers, places where 
children, too young to study and coming from all sorts of 
families, may become accustomed to behave with propriety, 
may gain much practical use of their hands and eyes, and may 
learn to exercise their taste and their conscience. 

For these three Kindergartens belonging to the Ames, 
Avery and Oakdale the town expends about $2500 annually. 
Those who have charge of them deserve great praise for their 
patience, skill and ingenuity in keeping their classes employed 
and interested so many hours day after day in exercises and 
games designed to improve and refine their infantile character. 
No teachers in our public schools work more diligently or 



314 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

expend more enthusiasm and nerve force than the Kindergart- 
ners. It is well that they have the rare satisfaction oi knowing 
that the impressions they make on the plastic natures under 
their care will be permanent and precious. 

For the primary and grammar schools, including every- 
thing between the Kindergarten and the High, a nine years 
course of training and study is in full operation in the Ames, 
Avery and Oakdale. The Quincy has a four years course from 
which children pass on to the Avery. From the Dexter the 
pupils enter the sixth grade of the Ames, and from the River- 
dale, the eighth grade of the same school. This system is well 
established and made effective by an excellent corps of teachers 
and the assiduous care of the Superintendent. This course of 
nine years may seem to some a long preparation for secondary, 
or High School instruction ; but it should be remembered that 
only a few children are mature enough to enter profitably upon 
the proper work of the High School before the age of fourteen 
years. Besides, it is always possible for a pupil of marked 
ability to obtain promotion, so as to reach the tenth, or High 
School grade, at an earlier age. 

As the work of the elementary schools is now arranged, 
the pupil can enter the High School with a good knowledge of 
Music and Drawing, a good beginning in Algebra and Latin, 
some acquaintance with good literature, and with his love of 
nature and habits of observing her works duly cultivated. The 
importance of these qualifications it is quite needless to discuss. 
But, while the studies are thus broadened by exercises to im- 
prove the taste and open the eye to the beauties of the universe, 
the fundamental studies are taught as fully as pupils of that age 
are capable of instruction. So that, if any are obliged to 
shorten their school course, they will have gained as much use- 
ful learning as their years made it possible to acquire. In- 
deed they will be better educated than they would have been 
by devoting all their school days to the acquisition of the three 
utilitarian r's with grammar and geography added. 



OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 315 

The High School enroHment is one hundred ninety-nine ; 
one hundred sixty-six from Dedham, nineteen from Westwood, 
five from Medfield and one from Dover. The school is in- 
structed by eight regular teachers, music and drawing are in 
charge of two special teachers. Four courses of study have 
been arranged, each of four years. 

The College Course is shaped to meet the requirements 
of Yale and Harvard Universities ; and students who complete it 
are expected to be able to enter those institutions by examina- 
tion ; at other New England colleges they will be received on 
certificate. 

The Institute Course meets the demands of the Massa- 
chusetts Institute of Technology and the Cambridge Scientific 
School, and prepares the student to pass examination for those 
schools or any other institutions of like character. 

The General Course prepares for the Normal Schools 
of any state, for the requirements of cultivated homes and the 
responsible duties of good citizenship. 

A Commercial Course including penmanship, corre- 
spondence, bookkeeping, type-writing, stenography and other 
specialties relating to mercantile affairs will serve the purpose 
of the Commercial College, or at least prepare students to do 
more effective work in such an institution. 

The adequacy of these courses in the hands of capable 
teachers and in behalf of well prepared and diligent students 
has been abundantly proved year after year. The system is 
complete, carefully adjusted to the wants of the community and 
in perfect harmony with the most advanced ideas of public 
education. 

Having indulged in this general review of the Dedham 
schools, it would be a pleasant duty to speak particularly of 
all the fifty-four teachers who are carrying forward this work 
of training youthful Dedham for its near and remote future. 
But the more I inspected their excellent performance, the more 
diflScult it seemed to speak of individuals. So far as I could 



316 THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 

observe, they were all faithful, intelligent, enthusiastic ; work- 
ing with a common purpose and clearly discerning the end to 
be attained, namely, a thorough preparation of their pupils for 
their next step in the process of learning and living. By their 
combined efforts the admirable system wrought out by the 
Superintendent of the Dedham Schools is made effective ; and 
no young person of the present generation ought to be found 
deficient in his qualification for good citizenship. On the 
whole, it is evident that the town, which was the first to 
establish and support a public free school by direct taxation, 
has not faltered in its voluntary efforts to place a good educa- 
tion within the reach of all her sons and daughters. 



INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 



Accidence, Ladies', 62. 

Accidence, Latin, 13. 

Advanced Studies of Winter 
Schools, 95. 

Alabama, the Destroyer of, 116. 

Apportionment of School Money 
in 1780, 77. 

Apportionment of School Money 
m 1792, 88. 

Arithmetics, Ley burn's and Hol- 
der's, 37. 

Avery's Donation, 26. 

B 

Book-keeping, Oldcastle's, 38. 
Boys as Footstools, 97. 
Boys' School Work, 78, 79. 



Chimney "nine foots between 

jams." 33. 
Civil War's Effects, 218. 
Colburn Family Group, 87. 
Cost of First Schoolhouse, 11. 
Courses of Study in High School, 

314. 
Covenants with Michael Metcalf, 

16, 19, 20. 

D 
Dedham Before Settlement, 5. 
District School Established by 

Law, 85. 
District System Beginning, 59, 61. 
Donation of Robert Avery, 49. 
Donation of Dea. Kingsbury, 55. 



Enrollment of Schools in 1904. 



Farm, School, Attempts to Ke- 

cover, 51. 
Feoffees, Names of, 7. 
Fools Caps, 118. 
Founders' Forethought, 5. 
Free School First Mentioned, 6. 
Free School Established, 1644, 7. 



Gale of September, 105. 
Geography in Dedham Schools,70. 
Glass of Meeting House Broken, 

14. 
Glass, Quarrels of, 24. 
Grammar, English, 127. 
Grammar Schools Taught in Five 

Schoolhouses, 56. 

H 
High School Established, 185,186. 
Hours of School, 38. 

I 
Influence of Dedham's Experi- 
ment, 9. 

J 
Job's Island, Name of, 71. 

K 
Kindergartens, 313. 

L 
Latin Books, 38. 
Love Letters, 108. 
Lowest Wages, 97. 

M 
Military Drill, 218. 
Money From the Fifty Thousand 

Loan, 49. 
Money, School, Loaned, 55. 
Money Proportioned. 61. 
Mr., Significance of, 6. 

N 

Needle Work in Early Schools, 78. 

New Plan of Taxing Proposed,28. 

New Schoolhouse to be Built, 

32, 33. 

O 
Outline Maps, 171. 

P 

Penmanship a Hundred Years 
Ago, 77. 



318 



INDEX OF SUBJECTS 



Presentment of the Town for 
Want of a Grammar School, 31. 

Proportion of School in Pre- 
cincts, 57. 

Punishments, Severity of, 111. 



Quarrells of Glass, 24. 

R 
Kate Made Every Six Months, 14. 
Beading Books, 37. 
Records of Feoffees Lost, 8. 
Rewards, 112. 
Robert Record's Arithmetic, 16. 



Salary When First Paid Wholly 

in Money, 34. 
Scarcity of Teachers, 12. 
School Districts of 1789, 86. 
School Farm Laid Out, 34. 
School house of 1752, 69. 
Schoolhouse of 1801, 92. 
Schoolhouse Resolved to be Built 

and Specifications for, 10. 
Schoolhouse, Second, 3.3. 
School Becomes Migratory, 45. 
Scripture Animals, Book On,83. 



Selectmen Given Charge of 

School, 12. 
Seven Years Appropriation, 11. 
Snibills, 41. 

Specie Payment Attempted, 24. 
Spelling Book, the Oldest, 37. 
Spelling Not Much Taught in 

Early Schools, 17. 
Spelling Schools, 91. 
Statute. First Relating to Schools, 

9. 
Summer Schools, 64. 
Sunday School, the First in Ded- 

ham, 94. 



Teachers of Liberal Education, 35. 
Telegrams of Special Interest, 238. 
Tenor. Old, Middle and New, 57. 
Text Books of Early Schools, 36. 
Town Pay, Merchantable, 13. 
Towns Formerlv Included in 

Dedham, 312. 
Training Ground Partly Granted 

to Feoffees, 7. 



Vote to Raise School Money on 
Persons and Estates, 32. 



INDEX OF TEACHERS 



Abbott, 

Florence K. 282 

Abrahams, 

Mrs. Annie E. 273 

Adams, 

Charles F. 245 

Edwin S. 142 

George W. 90 

Henrietta, 241 

John W. 95 

Julia, 109 

Lucia E. 121 

Mary L. 241 

Mrs. Robert, 146 

Seth, 51 

Albee, 

Mrs. Annie L. 308 

Obadiah W. 125 

Alden, 

Elizabeth, 108 

Joseph, 119 

Lucinda, 104 

Mary A. 2.S6 

Rebecca, 109 

Sarah J. 202 

Aldrich, 

Charles, 134 

Alexander, 

Florence K. 301 

Alger, 

Edna F. 289 

Lizzie S. 253 

Roland F. 222 

Allen, 

Catherine H. 123 

Harriet, 20^3 

Harvey, 1,57 

Hezekiah 74 

Louisa, 131 

Lucy E. 252 

Lucv M. 150 
Mrs.MeIzarW.221 

Phineas, 194 

Alleyne, 

Sarah H. B. 104 

Ames, 

Martha M. 305 
Dr. Nathaniel, 68 

Nathaniel, 122 
Seth, 70, 71 



Andrews, 




Mrs.Israel W 


. 249 


Armington, 




Joseph W. 


236 


Armsby, 




Daniel, 


99 


Nathan, 


93 


Atwood, 




David, 


172 


Horace T. 


247 


Avery, 




Sarah, 


83 


B 




Babbitt, 




Miriam F. 


301 


Babcock, 




Mrs.HamanC.267 


Henry H. 


194 


Mrs. Lemuel, 


97 


Bacon, 




Benjamin, 


60 


Ebenezer, 


61 


Fanny. 


100 


John W. 


156 


Baker, 




Mrs. Aaron 


100 


Abby L. 


227 


Abigail, 94 


136 


Alpheus, 


93 


Anna, 


77 


Betsey, 


148 


Celia, 63. 97 


Daniel, 


42 


Mrs. David A. 


133 


Deborah, 63, 82 


Deborah E. 


120 


Emily, 


121 


Fanny, 


105 


Frances M. 


160 


Mrs. Fred A. 


271 


Mrs. Fred' k.L 


255 


Mrs. James B. 


222 


Jane, 


187 


Mrs.Jeremiah,l04 


Mrs. John C. 


209 


Maria, 


169 


Martha G. 


222 


Mary, 


129 


Nancy C. 
Mrs. Obed, 


216 


94 



'Baker— Continued, 

Polly, 63 

Sally, 96 

Sarah, 136 

Sarah B. 269 

Sophia P. 125 

Balch, 

Benjamin, 68 

Elizabeth, 68 

Frank A. 273 
Mary, 69, 70 

Ballantine, 

William G. 74 

Barden, 

Ellen A 259 

Barker, 

Ellen E. 299 

Barnes, 

Mrs. GeorgeD. 2.53 

Barrett. 

Mrs. Nathan, 123 

Barrows, 

Mrs. Chas, E. 204 

Milton, 119 

Barton, 

Annie J. 233 

Bascom, 

Janette, 218 

Bass, 

Benjamin, 45 

Bassett, 

Carrie M. 264 

Bates, 

David, 96 

Ellen, 225 

William, 152 

Winifred E. 279 

Battelle, 

Ebenezer, Jr. 73 

Frank, 106 

Nathaniel, 77 
Thomas, 25, 26, 31 

Battle, 

Shiah, 102 

Beaumont. 

Helen M. 220 

Myra A. 219 

Beck, 

Mrs. Fred'k, 104 

Beckwith, 

Terziah M. 170 



320 



INDEX OF TEACHERS 



Belcher, 

Joseph, 46, 47 
Martha, 182 

Bennett, 

Maud, 305 

Samuel, 146 

Benson, 

Mrs. Albion, 199 

Bent 

Mrs. Edw. D. 149 
Mrs. Samuel 169 

Berry, 

Mabel G. 294 

BiCKFORD, 

Mrs.MartinL. 153 

BiGELOW, 

Abigail, 103 

Augusta, 135 

Mrs. Edgar L. 230 

Billings. 

Adelaide E. 285 
Flora E. 279 

Florence A. 223 
Gertrude £. 308 
Mrs. John C. 285 
Mrs. Lewis G. 206 
Myra D. 286 

Binney, 

Mrs. Amos, 153 

Bird, 

Francis W. 123 
Mrs. Frank R. 245 
George, Jr. 116 
Mrs. Geo. Jr. 116 

BiSPHAM, 

Miss, 168 

Blake, 

Drayton, 117 

Mrs. Frank W. 237 
Samuel, 42, 43 

Blanchard, 

Silas M. 156 

Mrs.Willis H, 278 

Blodget, 

Mrs. William, 254 

BONFILS, 

Mrs.S.Francis,104 

BONNEY, 

Isadora, 212 

Mary B. 279 

Sarah R. 197 

Bourne, 

Thomas R. 134 

Boutelle, 

Mr. J. A. 137 
Mrs.NewtonC.197 

Bowman, 

Jonathan, 60 



Boyd, 

Mrs. Leonard, 235 

BOYDEN, 

Mrs. Adin S. 155 
Annie L. 242 

Mrs.E.Munroe,234 
Elbridge P. 200 

Mrs.ElbridgeP.201 
Helen M. 184 
Mary E. 201 

BOYNTON, 

Almira, 

Florence C. 
Brackett. 

Anthony, 
Bradeen, 

Mr. E. A. 
Bradford, 

Perez, 

Bradley, 
Sarah D. 

Bray, 

Maud J. 

Brazee. 

Harriet E. 
Breck or Brick. 

Mr. 
Bridenno, 

Susannah, 
Bridgham, 

James, 
Briggs, 

Charles E. 
Brigham, 

Abner, 

Cephas. 

Elmer, 
Broad, 

Lucy S. 
Brock, 

John, 
Brooks, 

Edward, 

Laura C. 

Maria A. 
Brown, 

Erastus, 



1.32 

299 

136 

132 

44,45 

139 

288 
279 



63,64 

49 

188 

119 
192 
113 

130 

12 

62,63 
303 
209 

206 



Mrs.James E. 244 



Jeremiah, 

Lucy A. 
Browne, 

Sara A. 
Bryant, 

Oliver F. 
Buck, 

Mrs. S. B. 



163 
200 

299 

208 

276 



BULLARD, 

Abigail 102 

Ann E. 179 

Daniel S. 105 
Mrs. John E. 176 

Mary, 92 

Mary A. 192 

Rebecca, 182 

Seth, 69 

BURDETT, 

J. Horace, 269 

Burgess. 

Mrs.Eben'rP.177 

BiJRRAGE, 

Mrs. John, Jr. 104 

BURRILL, 

Celia N. 299 

Burroughs, 

3 eremiah, 24, 25 
Burton. 

Jessie E. 301 

Butler, ^ 

Lynden T. 180 

Went worth S. 188 

BUTTERFIELD, 

Georgiana, 145 

By AM, 

HenrietteF.E.308 

Byram, 

Harriet, 288 



C 

Calder, 

Edna F. 

Lucy A. 
Caldwell, 

Josiah, 
Callender, 

Elisha, 
Campbell, 

Mrs.Chas.F.F.278 



229 

212 

107 
42 



D. Frances 
Canning, 

Helen M. 
Capen, 

A. 

Dea. Abram, 

Charles J. 

Jeremiah 

Rodney B. 
Capron, 

Harriet B. 
Carnes, 

John, 
Carpenter, 

Annie G. 

Miss S. A, 



286 

271 

110 
90 
162 
108 
238 

304 

52,53 

277 
226 



INDEX OF TEACHERS 



321 



Carroll, 




Carrie A. 


266 


Charles W. 


203 


Julius, 


166 


Carter, 




Joseph W. P. 


199 


Chamberlain, 




Nancy M. 


201 


Nathan H. 


189 


Chandler, 




Mrs. E. M. S. 


258 


CH ANN ELL, 




GuyC. 


265 


Chapin, 




Benjamin, 


70 


Seth. 


105 


Chapman, 




Sarah M. 


206 


Chase, 




Mrs. David N 


. 154 


Mrs.Jonathan,172 


Chellis. 




Mary D. 


168 


Cheney, 




Lydia, 66, 67 


Sarah E. 


237 


Chickering, 




Daniel, Jr. 


76 


Mrs. Dean, 


110 


Jabez, 74, 75 


Jabez, Jr. 


93 


Mrs. John, 


74 


Lncy E. 


127 


Child, 




Caleb, 


79 


Lovell, 


133 


Chipman, 

Mrs. Guy W 




303 


Churbuck, 




Alton C. 


306 


Clapp, 




Elbridge, 


161 


Clark, 




Mrs. Champion, 152 


Elizabeth, 


131 


Isabel E. 


280 


Jacob, 


138 


Jonas, 


58 


Justin W. 


103 


Lydia, 
Martha, 


81 


129 


Phillips, 


92 


Sarah S. 


131 


Mrs. Solomon, 135 


Clarke, 




Caroline B. 


169 


George E. 


158 



Cleveland, 

William, 132 

Cobb, 

Bertha V. 290 
Coffin, 

Sarah E. 138 

COLBURN, 

Abigail, 137 

Bertha, 62 

Caroline B. 175 

Celia A. 153 

Mrs. Ellis, 97 
Harriet E. 137,247 

Helen S. 238 

Isaac. 87 

Lucy A. 269 

Mary. 140 

Mrs. Mary, 63 

Sarah J. 218 

Mrs. Seth, 136 

William W. 200 

COLCORD, 

John, 140 

Cole, 

Mrs. Henry, 296 

Samuel W. 269 

Collins, 

Mrs. John A. 133 

Comey, 

Chester H. 207 

Vodisa, 228 

COMINS, 

Anna V. 280 

CONLAND, 

ButellaE. L. 292 
Cook, 

Mrs.McLaurenF.175 
Coombs, 

Mabel R. 301 

CORDEIRO, 

Mrs.JoaquinB.150 

CORMERAIS, 

Mary E. 273 

COTTING, 

John R. 102 
Cotton, 

Martha I, 169 

Mary E. 175 
Countryman, 

Mrs. Calvin, 272 

COVELL, 

Mrs. Warren, 136 

COWLES, 

Edward, 211 
Cox, 

Edward J. 260 

Frances E. 219 

Henrietta C. 214 



Cox— Continued. 




Sallie B. 


215 


Sarah C. 


139 


Craft, 




Jonathan, 


66 


Cram, 




Mrs. Sarah P. 


176 


Cranch, 




Mrs.Eliz'beth,103 


Crane, 




Abbie T. 


219 


Mrs.Eben'r P. 131 


Jonathan, 


68 


Martha C. 


256 


Zeruiah, 


66 


Crehore. 




Augusta, 


191 


Ellen H. 


190 


Crocker, 




Abby F. 


199 


Henry E. 


248 


Winthrop N. 


286 


Crombie, 




Franklin, 


124 


Crosby, 




Joseph, 


76 


Crummett, 




Mrs. Chas. H 


211 


Currier, 




Horace H. 


223 


Mr. S. E. D. 


200 


Curtis, 




Annie E. 


254 


Clara A. 


242 


Dolly F. 


107 


Elmer L. 


273 


Mrs.Elmer I 


.. 269 


Elsie H. 


238 


Mabel G. 


280 


Gushing, 




Mary P. 


288 


Cutler, 




Manasseh, 


71 


Mrs.Manasseh, 70 


D 




Daggett, 




Gardner, 


96 


Dame, 




Henry, 


217 


Ruth B. 


306 


Damon, 




George, 


60, 61 


Rebecca, 


109 


Damrell, 




Mrs.LuciusM.S.187 



322 



INDEX OF TEACHERS 



Dana, 

Hattie A. 234 

James, 59 

Joanna, 155 

John J. 203 

Nancy, 104 

Darling, 

Marion N. 294 

Davenport, 

119 

Mrs. Edw. W. 164 

Davis, 

Martha M. 192 
Mrs.ReubenP.l75 

Mrs.WoodhullW.262 

Dean, 

Abigail E. 99 

Anna M. 253 

Deborah, 103 

Francis 87 

Mrs, John, 70 

Dr. Josiah, 65 

Lyman W. 134 

Mary, 110 

Marv A. 206 

Paul, 89 

DeFonteney, 

Garcelon, 193 

Delano, 

Maria T. 243 

Dennett, 

Jennibelle C. 306 

Dickerman, 

Juliette, 198 

Dillingham, 

Miss S. P. 227 

DiMAN, 

Elizabeth G. 292 
Dingee, 

Mrs. William W. 183 

Dodge, 

Timothy P. 142 

DOGGETT, 

Mr. 196 

DOOLITTLE, 

Mrs. Alvin B. 99 

Dorr. 

Horatio, 126 

DORRANCE, 

James B. 97, 98 
Douglas, 

William, 84 

DOWD, 

Elizabeth F. 262 
Dranga, 

WilhelminaN.278 



Draper, 




EI.J.IS— Continued. 


Abigail, 


90 


Caleb, 


85 


Abijah, 


88 


(Jalvin, 


93 


Alice E. 


271 


Calvin F. 


122 


Amanda, 


135 


Colburn, 


104 


Augusta, 


135 


Eliza N. 


116 


Mrs. Chas. E. 


222 


Elizabeth H. 


149 


Daniel F. 


154 


Enoch, 


69 


Fannie E. 


255 


Fanny, 


63 


Ichabod, 


80 


George, 


82 


Ira, 


86 


Mrs. George, 


82 


James, 


61 


Ichabod, 


74 


Jesse, 


88 


Mrs. Ichabod 


. 71 


Joseph R. 


189 


Jesse, 70,81,82,109 


Mrs.JosephR 


164 


Mrs. Joel, 


114 


Philip, 75, 76 


Joseph, 21, 22 


Sarah, 


70 


Joshua, 


63 


Drew, 




Julia A. 


230 


Mrs.Fred'kP. 


295 


Lucy R. 


228 


Isabel R. 


306 


Mary, 


110 


Drugan, 




Mehetabel, 


67 


Sarah E. 


265 


Merrill D. 


125 


Dudley, 




Mrs.MerrillD. 133 


Emma G. 


274 


Olive, 


85 


Dunbar, 




Persilla, 


64 


Elijah, 


87 


Rebecca, 


63 


DUNLOP, 




Rebecca N. 


132 


Mary A. 


182 


Richard, 


95 


DUPEE, 




Mrs. Richard 


, 99 


Mr. 


114 


Sarah Ann, 


196 


DURGIN, 




SarahArnold, 


237 


Charles, 


139 


Willard, 


97 


DUSTIN, 




Emerson, 




Josephine A. 


267 


Mary, 


147 


DUTTON, 




Emery, 




Samuel S. 


148 


Mrs. Nancy, 


106 


DWIGHT, 




Endicott, 




Cornelia S. 


63 


Mrs. John, 


132 


Daniel, 47,48,49,53 


Essex, 








Albert H. 


214 


E 




Estey, 




Easty, 




Willard F. 


227 


Sarah, 


64 


EVELETH, 




Eaton, 




Emily A. 


172 


Charlotte E. 


245 


Everett, 




Mrs.John,Jr. 


222 


Abbie L. W. 


228 


Edwards, 




Irene F. 


114 


Alexander, 


142 


James B. 


186 


Eliot, 




Joseph M. 


179 


John, 


30 


Mary C. 


233 


John, S. T. D 


. 75 


Ewer, 




Ellis, 




Mrs. Alfred, 


238 


Abbie F. 


234 






Abby J. 


209 


F 




Abner, 


63 






Col. Abner, 


88 


Fairbanks, 




Mrs. Abner, 


95 


Benjamin, 


89 


Ann M. 


132 


George 0. 


142 



INDEX OF TEACHERS 



323 



Eairbanks— Cont'd. 

Mary, 63 

Samuel, 103 

Tales, 

David, 67 

David N. 117 

Elisha F. 119 

Harriet L. 204 

Horace, 92 

Joshua. 113 

Sarah P. 234 

Farley, 

Chares A. 122 

Farnham, 

Florence M, 292 

Julia A. 141 

Farnsworth, 

Albert VV. 181 

Farr, 

Jonathan, 111 

Farrer, 

Jacob, 13, 14 

John, 13, 14 

Farrington, 

Anna L. 249 

Charlotte, 114 

Faxon, 

George L. 233 

Fay, 

Apnleton, 124 

FEACHE3I, 

George, 90 

Fellows, 

George M. 235 

Felt, 

Jonathan, 72 

Ferry, 

Hannah, 101 

Mrs. J. F. 262 

Fessenden, 

John, 110 

Lucy L. 204 

Eield, 

Barnum, 110 

M. Louise, 263 
Mrs. Ozro M. 284 

Fish, 

Annie G 248 

Sarah H. 229 

Fisher. 

Abigail, 70 

Charles E. 215 

Emery, 106 

Jeremiah, 49, 50 
Mrs. John B. 238 

John D. 109 

Jonathan, 83, 84 

Joshua, 14 



Fisher— Continued. 

Maria, 164 

Mary J. 158 
Nathaniel, 71, 72 

Sarah, 154 

Sarah E. 212 

FiSK. 

Charles, 114 

FiSKE, 

Henry, 107 
Fitch, 

Mary R. 277 

FiTZ, 

Almeria E. 158 
Fletcher, 

Mrs. E. Dix, 177 
Mrs.HarrietW.202 
Flint, 

James, 94 

FOLLANSBEE, 

Susan E, 219 

FOLSOM. 

Mary J. 207 

FOORD, 

Elizabeth. Ill 

Enos, 112 

Esther, 127 

James, 105 

Jane, 121 

Sophia, 133 

Forbes, 

Mrs.Augustus,173 

Fossett, 

Nettie, 213 

Fox, 

John, 35, 36 

Freeman, 

Edward, 137 

Mrs. Edward, 137 

French, 

Almira, 173 

Ansel, 98 

Calvin, 118 

Lemuel, 82 

Frizzel, 

Joseph A. 293 

Frost, 

Ada M. 258 

Barzillai, 117 

Fuller, 

Benjamin B. 156 

Blanche G. 304 

Mary J. 163 
Mrs.Timothy, 120 
Mrs.TimothyS.154 



G 

Gardner, 

Almira, 139 

Eliza, 178 

Elizabeth N. 216 

Mary, 138 

Miles T. 106, 188 

Garfield, 

Marion H. 295 

Gates, 

Charles, 195 

Gay, 

Amy I. 274 

Annie, 131 

Benjamin, 109 

Bunker, 117 

Cornelia M. 295 

Ebenezer, 44 
Eliza, 113, 128 

Henry, 153 

Herbert L. 289 

Julia A. 125 

Levina R. 137 

Moses, Jr. 90 

Mrs. Oliver, 87 
Seth, Jr. 92, 93 
Mrs.Theodore,110 

George, 

Blanche I. 281 

Gerould, 

Mrs. Samuel A.103 

Samuel L. 204 

GiBB, 

John L. 297 
Giles, 

Edith, 278 
Gilson, 

Mary V. 267 
Glassier, 

Mrs. Fred W. 288 
Gleason, 

Mrs. Zabina, 169 
Glover, 

Sarah, 86 

GODDARD, 

Charles G. 164 

GOODNOUGH, 

Mary C. 177 
Goodrich, 

Adella R. 308 
Goodwin, 

Mr. I. A. 158 

GOOKIN, 

Mrs. Daniel, 80 



324 



INDEX OF TEACHEKS 



Gould, 

Mr. 

Elizabeth, 
Mrs. F. L. 
Dr. George, 
Mary F. 
Dr. Samuel, 
Mrs. Simeon, 

GOWARD, 

Marion C. 

GOWEN, 

Asa, 
Gragg, 

Mary F. 

Mrs. Moses, 
Graves, 

Mr. A. M. 
Green, 

Mary, 

Roland, 
Greene, 

Ella C. 
Greer, 

Florence E. 
Griggs, 

Adeline N. 

Frances E. 
Grover, 

Jane A. 
Guild, 

Annis C. 

Mrs. Calvin, 

Caroline F. 

Cornelia 

Cornelia S. 

Mrs. Ellis, 



100 
91 

265 
93 

304 
85 
81 

309 

111 

207 
109 

254 

62 
65 

254 

255 

1£4 
201 

133 

215 
130 
176 
133 
197 
196 



Mrs. Francis, 146 
Harriet E. 213 
Lauretta W. 202 
LendamineD. 118 
Lucinda, 127 

Lucretia J. 167 
Martha M. 149 
Nancy, 145 

Mrs. Nathaniel, 99 
Nathaniel M. 131 
Rebecca, 114 

H 

Hackett, 

John, 148 

Hall, 

Mrs.HiramD.W.l91 

Lucy A. 276 

Mrs. Nathaniel, 138 

Rebecca, 116 

Hamilton, 

Mrs.HenryC. 249 



Hamlet, 

Miss T. C. 132 
Hammer, 

Mrs. J. Frank, 229 
Hammett, 

Mrs. Chas.E. 184 
Hammond, 

James B. 243 

Thomas, 80 

Hannon, 

Mary C. 295 

Harding, 

Eliza A. 168 

Hardy, 

Mary C. 277 

Harlow, 

Mrs. William, 120 
Harrington, 

Nahum, 97 

Harris, 

Mrs.DatusW. 195 

S. Louisa, 250 

Mrs. Thos. J. 219 
Hart, 

William T. 251 

Hartwell, 

Caroline, A. 177 

Mrs.Stedman, 126 

Haskins, 

Mrs.ClifEordC.299 

Haven, 

Chloe 120 

Elizabeth H. 135 

John, 77 

Joseph, Jr. 75 

Moses, 79 

Samuel, 84 

Hawes, 

Miss 137 

Mary J. 149 

Hayes, 

Grace L. 284 

Mae L. 290 

Hayavard, 

Mrs.FrancisD.215 
James, 107 

Martha J. 234 

Hellyar, 

Blanche E. 307 

Hemenway, 

Appleton S. 170 
Clarissa C. 170 
Onslow, 170 

Henchman, 

Richard, 27, 29 

Henderson, 

Elizabeth E. 290 



Hewins, 
Miss- 



195 

Alfred. 175 

Mrs. Amasa, 108 

Clara C. 274 

Josephine H. 239 

Laura M. 276 
Mrs.WilliamH.262 

Hews, 

William H. 161 

Hill, 

Florence, 241 

Hilton, 

Edna, 281 

Hine, 

Roderick W. 311 

HiNES. 

Irene C. H. 307 
Hinman, 

Agnes R. 298 

HiTCHINGS, 

Mrs. Henry, 253 

HlXON, 

Mrs. 139 

Hodges, 

Emily C. 157 

Esther C. 179 

Judith S. 187 

Mary F. 212 

Sarah, 230 

Hoffman, 

Mary C. 150 

HOLBROOK, 

Joseph, 29, 30 
Holder, 

Phebe A. 240 

Holmes, 

Mrs. Chas. H. 145 

Elizabeth, 66 

Mr. J. 144 

Jason, 136 

Jeffrey A. 196 

Susan B. 277 

Holt, 

Mrs.HarveyM.240 

HOLTON. 

Edith A. 304 

HOLYOKE, 

Elizur, 57 
Howard, 

Caroline A. 205 

Dorus F. 257 

John L. 309 

Nellie M. 267 
Simeon, 64, 65 



INDEX OF TEACHERS 



325 



Howe, 

Calvin, 118 

Mrs. Calvin, 107 

Mrs. Elijah, 125 

John, 97 

Mrs. Joseph, 92 

William F. 300 

Winifred E. 309 

Howell. 

Henrietta F. 260 

Howes, 

Bessie E. 263 

HOWLAND, 

Clara C. 289 
Hubbard, 

Mrs. Joseph, 220 

Joshua G. 183 

William H. 245 

HUGGETT, 

Mrs. William, 234 
Humphrey, 

Jonas, 68 

HUIUPHREYS, 

Maria A. 265 

Rebecca L. 131 
Hunt, 

Mrs.Brenelle, 291 
Hunting, 

Samuel, 54, 55 

HUTCHINS, 

Janet G. 260 

Mrs. Mary C. 228 

I 

Ingalls, 

Albert J. 188 
Mrs.AnnaM. 210 

Ingraham, 

Adelaide E. 239 
Flora C. 257 

Jackson, 

Mrs. Ezra S. 158 
James, 

Benjamin, 96 
Jaques, 

Mrs. Frank F. 228 
Jenkins, 

Mary C. 261 

Jennison, 

Mrs.NahumE.253 
Johnson, 

Mrs. Alfred F. 279 
Jones, 

Mrs. Charles, 165 

John, 61, 62 

Nancy, 121 



Jones— Coniiwited 
ParthenaG. 184 
Willard E. 267 
Mrs. William, 145 

Joyce, 

Alice E. 307 

George F. Jr. 274 

Mrs.G.F.Jr.266,285 

K 

Keelan, 

Alice J. 286 

Mary K. 250 

Kelly, 

Nellie G. 275 

Kendall, 

Carrie E. 265 

Kennedy, 

Julia G. 268 

Kenney, 

Winifred J. 289 

Kenny, 

C. Belle, 281 

Keous, 

William, 72 

Kidder, 

Nathan, 60 

Kimball, 

Mrs. Caleb, 149 
Charles F. 225 
Henry H. 215 

King, 

F. Morton, 257 
Mrs.FMorton,258 

Kingsbury, 

Enoch, 74 

Jeremiah, 73 

Julia, 155 

L. Allen, 153 
Maria F. 268 

Rebecca, 114 

Kingsley, 

Nathan G. 284 
Kinney, 

Florence F. 286 
Kneeland, 

William, 64 

Knight, 

William H. 230 



"I A WTTY 

KatherineE. 281 
Lamson, 

Marion H. 281 
Lane, 
Mr.D.NorD.A.Jr.238 

Susan H. 276 



Langdell, 

ChristopherC. 178 

Lathrop, 

Marie L. 191 

Laurie, 

Mrs. John, 213 

Layman, 

Bertha M. 300 

Leal and, 

Hannah M. 210 

Leeds, 

Daniel, 92 

Lewis. 

Mrs. Henry B. 276 
Mrs.HoratioP.253 
Martha, 139 

Mrs. Thomas, 215 
Mrs. Willard, 141 

Lincoln, 

Charles S. 182 
Jairus Jr. 243 
Lindley, 

Julia, 110 

Little, 

Henry A. 185 
Mrs. Walters. 292 

LiTTLEFIELD, 

Ethel A. 270 

LiVERMORE, 

Louise R. 304 

Locke, 

Calvin S. 221 

Mrs. Lyman, 132 

William W. 296 

Loheed. 

B. Miriam, 300 

Lord, 

Joseph, 31 

LORING, 

Eliza G. 199 

Loud, 

Mrs.ByronW. 231 

LOWDER, 

Samuel, Jr. 93 

Lund, 

Matilda B. 211 
Mrs.StephenF.168 

Lyle, 

Carrie A. 263 

Lynas, 

Margaret R. 270 

Lynch, 

Mary E. 307 

Lyon, ^ 

Mr8.EmersonW.254 



L, 



326 



INDEX OF TEACHEKS 



M 

Emma F. 271 
Mackintosh, 

Mrs. Elisha, 109 

William D. 244 
Haddocks, 

Marion F. 302 
Malloy, 

Annie G. 270 

Mann, 

Samuel, 22, 23 

Timothy M. Ill 
Mansfield, 

Christine T. 296 
Maecy, 

William L. 96 
Marden, 

Fanny S. 240 

Mark. 

Lillian G. 302 
Market, 

Thomas, 18, 19 
Marsh, 

Nabbv A. 174 

Thomas, 50, 51 
Marshall, 

Abbie L. 249 

Mrs. Alden B. 170 
Mrs.J.Addison,206 
Mason, 

George W. 311 

Mrs.Thaddeus, 88 
Mathes, 

Frances A. 245 
May, 

Ad el in a, 226 

Alice E. 285 

Maynard, 
Mrs.(ofWestboro)130 
Mayo, 

Daniel. 81 

McClearn, 

Mary A, 290 

McCoy, 

Mrs. Clara R. 220 

McKENDRy, 

Ellen, 178 

McManus, 

Dorothy H. 282 
Jennie V. 261 

McSkimmon, 

Mary, 266 

Mead, 

Seymour L. 180 
Melvin, 

Thomas J. 126 



Merrick, 
Belle, 



242 



Merritt, 

Gertrude L. 278 
Helen S. 293 

Messenger, 

Eunice, 133 

Metcalf, 

Ann S. 145 

Betsey, 94 

John, 84 

Jonathan, 73 

Joseph, 60 

Marietta G. 257 
Martha, 220 

Michael,15,16,17,20,25 
Nathan, 115 

Mills, 

Mrs. John, 155 
Kufus, 101 

Moakler, 

Olive F. 282 

Montague, 

Jane L. 117 

Sarah A. 129 

William, 89 

Moody, 

Mrs. David T. 125 

Moore, 

Jonathan, 66 

Morrill, 

Isaac, 107 

Morse, 

Augusta, 179 

Mrs. Chas.E. 137,202 
Chloe. 99 

Mrs. Edward 1.261 
Mrs.EdwinScott,248 
Joseph, 33, 34 
J^Iary, 70 

Mrs. Mary S. 249 
Sarah, 146 

Mrs.SidneyE. 235 

Morton, 

Anna B. 293 

Mowry, 

Bainbridge, 147 

MUDGE, 

Sybil, 99 

MULKERN, 

Isabella J. 277 
Mary E. 266 

MULLIKEN, 

Augusta W, 175 

MUNN, 

Mrs. Geo. M. 237 



MUNSON, 

L. Mabel, 
Lillian, 
Myrick, 
Cyrus G. 



Nash, 
Miss- 



N 



298 
307 

140 



198 



Henry C. 


182 


Neal, 




Mrs. David, 


202 


NEWC03IB, 




George, 


208 


Newell. 




Mrs. Asa, 


93 


Ebenezer, Jr. 


, 76 


Eliza, 


102 


Lucinda, 


118 


Lvdia, 


63 


Mrs. Marshall, 139 


Mary, 


72 


Mrs. Nathan, 


77 


Polly, 


94 


Rebecca, 


71 


Nichols, 




Martha H. 


217 


Samuel H. 


216 


NiCKERSON, 




Caroline K. 


198 


Miss E. M. 


206 


NORRIS, 




Sarah L. 


251 


NOWELL, 




Mary F. 


295 


Noyes, 




Joseph H. 


252 


Maria, 


140 


Samuel B. 


140 


Nutter. 




Isabel 0. 


287 


Nye, 




Elizabeth N. 


172 


Lucy A. 


204 



Oakman, 

Hiram A. 204 

O'Brien, 

May C. 310 

Olmstead, 
Mrs.Montgomery228 

Onion, 

Anna E. 154 

Joseph, 99 

Sarah, 76 



INDEX OF TEACHERS 



327 



Orendouff, 

Jennie A. 302 

Mrs. JosephH. 253 
Osgood, 

Maria, 117 
Otis, 

Alice M. 310 

P 
Page, 

Ann E. 169 

Helen F. 258 

Mrs. John B. 201 

Paine, 

Delia C. 230 

Mrs. Gardner, 121 

John O. W. 210 

Park, 

Arabella E. 268 

Parker, 

James N. 251 

Martha A. 183 

Richard G. 107 

Parmelke, 

Mr. H. P. 227 

Parsons, 

John, 109 

Partridge, 

Caroline, 160 
Mrs. Frank N. 258 
John 41, 42 

Patten, 

John F. 222 

William, 60 

Paul, 

Mrs. Edw. C. 235 

Luther, 102 

Peabody, 

Ephraim, 122 

Pease, 

Benjamin L. 205 

Miss E. M. 242 

Jesse, 90 
LeanderV.N. 246 

Pennell, 

Susan, 302 

Perkins, 

Mrs.(ofSharon),128 

Miss E. C. 246 

Mrs. Sidne3% 113 

Perry, 

Arthur L. 176 

Elijah, 121 

Joseph, 58 

Mary, 121 

Myra J. 293 

Rebecca D. 126 



Peters, 

Andrew, 72 

PETTEe, 

George F. 194 
Holmes R. 192 

Phillips, 

Maria F. 199 

Thomas, 115 

Pierce, 

AlmiraG. 226 
Arthur G. 155 
Mrs.C;harlesC. 277 
Jesse, 100, 101 
John. 136 

Mrs. Oliver, 139 

PlERSON, 

Mrs.GorhamD.127 
Pike, 

Mrs. Julia A. 230 
Plaisted, 

James, 113 

Samuel, 116 

Plympton, 

Henry R. 167 

Mrs.Jeremiah,139 
Joanna, 141 

Willard P. 165 

Pond, 

Eliphalet, Jr. 73 
Mrs. Mary U. 230 
Sanford P. 115 
Timothy, 56 

Pooler, 

Bessie M. 305 

Porter, 

Caroline, 120 

Elizabeth P. 213 
Jabez, 67 

Pratt, 

Fredric A. 151 
Mrs.Jerahmeel C.141 

Prentice, 

Abigail, 104 

John, 40, 41, 42 

Prince, 

Josephine M. 235 

Pritchard, 

Mrs. Chas. F. 255 

Probert, 

Sarah J. 282 

PULLEN, 

Helen E. 198 



Q 

QUIMBY, 

Harriet, 



291 



R 

Rand, 

Herbert L. 303 

Randlett, 

Harriet A. 261 

Raw son, 

Avery, 103 

Edward, 98 

Raymond, 

Mrs. Roland, 184 

Read, 

Harriet E. 197 

Reed, 

Levi, 143 

Reynolds, 

Miss E. L. 246 

Rhodes, 

Annie S. 155 

S. Louisa, 242 

Rice. 

Miss A. H. 173 

Richards. 

Mrs. Edw. M. 114 

Eliza A. 160 

Mrs. Fred'k, 90 
Hannah, 75.86,87 
Mrs.Hannah,63,100 
Mrs.HenryVV. 207 

James B. 144 

Mrs. Job, 71 

Jonathan 87 
Mrs.Jonathan, 83 

Louisa C. 193 

Luther, 130 

Mrs. Moses, 100 

Pollv, 107 
Mrs.Samuel,75,142 

Mrs. William, 121 

Richardson, 

Cerilla R. 258 

Charles A. 191 

RiNN, 

Ethel, 307 

ROBBINS, 

Laura H. 263 
Robershaav, 

Mrs. Mary, 136 
Roberts, 

Edward. 94 

Mrs. Joseph T. 219 

ROBIE, 

Martha G. 220 
Robinson, 

Joshua D. 178 

Melissa D. 240 

Ruth, 130 

ROBY, 

Irene B. 278 



L, 



^/ 



328 



INDEX OF TEACHERS 



ROGKRS, 




Shine, 




Edward, 


155 


Lizzie M. 


276 


'ROhVE, 




Shorey, 




Henry C. 
Mrs.Henry C. 


1«9 


Frank H. 


201 


107 


Mrs. John, 


133 


Rowley. 
Lilla, F 


262 


S. Annie, 
Shuttleworth, 


220 


JJkilCh M. ■ 




Samuel, 73 


,74 


RUSSKLL, 




SiLSnEE, 




Barrett B. 


2.39 


Mrs C. H. 


63 


Mrs.BarrettB.241 1 


Simmons, 




Mr. E. 
Mrs.JosiahM 


145 


Mrs. Benjamin 
Skates, 


,91 


Rydkr, 




Mr. C. W. 


1.32 


Henry O. 
Mr. T. r. 


283 
1.37 


Sl AFTER, 




Thomas P. 


123 


Anna R. 
Carlo.s, 


272 
173 


S 

Sackett, 
Herbert L. 




Mrs. Carlos, 


183 


310 


Small, 
Jane S. 


193 


Sargent, 
Charles M. 


263 


Smith, 

Adelaide I. 
Alice A. 


272 
272 


Savil, 




Anna, 


88 


Emma M. 


241 


Catherine, 


1.36 


Sawyer. 




Genevieve, 


262 


George A. 


1!>7 


Mrs.GeorfijeS 


199 


Saxe, 




Mrs. Isaacus, 


145 


Mabel W. 


253 


Mrs. John N. 


108 






Martha A. 


246 


Scott, 

Sylvester, 


177 


Mary M. 
Nathaniel. 


187 
106 


Mrs, W'm. G. 


220 


Mrs.Nathaniel,lll | 


Sears, 




Samuel R. 


151 


Hattie B. 


291 


Sarah E. 


305 


Sew all, 
Charles C. 


116 


Smithick, 
Alice C. 


282 


Siiackley, 








Emma J. 

SlIAI'LKiGH, 

Carrie M. 


272 
244 


Snow, 

Mrs. Geo. H. 
Thatcher N. 


209 
216 


Siiatswell, 




SOMERBY, 




Mrs. H. K. 


289 


Gustavus A. 


161 


Shattuck 




Souther, 




Elijah C. 


171 


Mrs. Chas. H 


. 236 


Shaw, 

Hattie B. 
Martha I. 


283 

297 


Southgate, 
Mrs. WaiterB 


.287 


Oakes, 


65 


South worth. 




Shea. 




Edward F. 


283 


Mary J. 


262 


Spalding, 




SHEI'IIERI), 




Amos F. 


168 


Mrs(ofVVrentham)113 


Spare, 




Betsey, 


63 


Galen, 


136 


Sherman, 




Spaulding, 




John D. 


159 


Alice M. 


271 


Nathaniel, 


58,59 


Mrs. Randall 


, 251 



Spear, 

William H. 122 
Mrs. Wm. H. 123 

Spencer, 

Annie G. 283 

Emily O. 195 

Sprague, 

Leila, H. 287 

Stanley. 

Mrs. Otis, 166 

Starr, 

Ebenezer, 74 

Mrs. Fisher, 106 

Starr ETT, 

Delia F. 259 

Stearns, 

fJeorge, 137 

James H. 216 

William L. 130 

Stefan, 

Emily B. 276 

Stetson, 

Annabel, 291 

Mrs. Edw. P. 230 

Stevens. 

Mrs.DanielW.160 
Henry D. 206 

J. Nelson, 181 
Mrs. Lucy A. 276 
M. Lillietta, 254 

Stockrridge, 

Adeline, 198 

Mrs.AgustusP.l70 

Stockdale, 

Mrs. Wm. K. 213 

Stone, 

Mrs. Albert, 150 

Mrs. Asa, 187 

Emily, 141 

Storms, 

Sarah J. 275 

Stowe, 

Lydia A. 146 

Stroelin, 

Ella F. 268 

Strong, 

Emily W. 264 
Titus, 98 

Sturtevant, 

Mary A. 113 

Sumner, 

Juliet F. 214 

Lewis N. 228 

Nathaniel, 53 



INDEX OF TEACHERS 



329 



Swan, 

Frederick W. 287 
Mrs.Fred'kW.298 
Joseph, 89 

Sweet, 

Henry, 114 

Loretta, 107 

SWEETSER, 

Mrs. MyraA. 259 

SWINNERTON, 

John, 20 

Symmes, 

Wilham, 58, 59 



Taft. 

Mrs. Ezra W. 118 
Mrs.Frederic A. 197 
J^auretta W. 146 
Margaret, 130 
Mary F. 253 

Talbot, 

Harriet R. 173 
Josiah W. 132 
Mary A. 136 

Mary L. 247 

Nancy E. 152 
Susan R. 142 

Mrs. W. H. 137 

Ta ylor, 

Caroline M. 266 

Thacher, 

Peter, 90 

Thayer, 

AlexanderW. 141 
Arthur W. 2.56 
Mrs.JohnH.B.185 
Mrs.Thos.W. 184 

Thompson, 

Mrs. Cyrus A. 1.53 
Mrs.SamuelH.271 
Susan, 144 

Thorne, 

Jennie M. 278 

Thorpe, 

Louis. 84, 85 

Mrs. Ruth, 65, 66 

Thurston, 

William, 130 

Tinkham, 

Mary A. 158 

TiSDALE, 

AbbieE. 210 

Emma, 238 

Lucy. 211 

Mrs. Percy E. 237 



TlTCOMB, 




Charlotte A. 


2.33 


Mrs. Edw. E. 


129 


Pierson, 


120 


Todd, 




Alice A. 


303 


Tolman, 




Mrs.(ofWorcester)130 


Jeremy F. 


98 


Louisa, 


165 


TORREY, 




Josiah, 


54 


Tower, 




Mrs. Wm. E. 


297 


TOWNSEND, 




Flora P. 


292 


Mrs. Geo. H. 


290 


Solomon, 


52 


Tracy, 




Elizabeth, 


294 


Treadwell, 




James P. 


159 


Tubes, 




Aspasia P. 


222 


Tucker, 




Almira, 


178 


Catherine E. 


185 


Elijah, 


103 


Helen M. 


221 


Mrs. John, 


148 


ijizzie C. 


258 


Mrs.RalphW 


189 


Tyler, 




Hannah, 


99 


John, 


84 


Samuel, 


112 


Samuel B. 


119 


U 




Underwood. 




Joseph, 


146 


Upham. 




William D. 


130 


V 




VOGLER. 




Barbara E. 


297 


VOSE, 




Solomon, 


81 


W 




Wales, 




Dolly L. 


275 


Walter, 




Thomas, 43, 44 


Walters. 




Catherine E. 


288 



244 



123 

80 

310 



Ward, 
Ella E. 
Ephraim, 

Ware, 

Harriet, 
Henry, 
Lucy M. 

Washburn, 

Mrs. Andrew, 179 

Waterman, 

Miss E. T. 195 
Helen, 298 

Watson, 

Harriet, 152 

Weatherbee, 

Benjamin,Jr,82,83 

Webb, 

Nathan, 59 

Webster, 

Humphrey, 161 

Welch, 

Bessie J. 305 

Weld, 

Eleazer, 61 

Wells, 

Caroline, 138 

Wendell, 

Marion J. 285 

Wentworth, 

Mrs. Horace, 197 
Marshall, 297 
May H. 299 

Wescott, 

William H. 233 

Wheaton, 

Horatio G. 108 
Polly, 83 

Wheeler, 

Cora B. 277 

Wheelock, 

Mrs. Elijah, 140 
Maria L. 236 

Ralph, 8 

White, 

Abbie A. 229 

Amelia, 111 

Benjamin. 54 
Mrs. Delia, 63 
Elizabeth. 63 
Mrs.Fr.ankW. 2.59 
John B 130 

Mrs. Lydia D. 63 

Whiting. 

Caroline. 135 

Charles E. 255 
Cynthia. 90, 109 
Mrs. Eaton, 108 
Mrs. Edward, 85 



330 



INDEX OF TEACHERS 



Wuirii^o— Continued 

Elizabeth. 108 

Ellen W. 237 

Eluiira, 141 

Esther, 124 

Harriette E. 237 

Joanna, 103 

John E. 214 

Joshua, 87 

Lucretia, 97 

Mary, 100 

Mrs. Nathan, 72 

Ithoda, »8 

Koxa, 100 

Mrs. Stephen, 76 

Thaddeus, 100 

Thomas, 95 

Whitman, 

Samuel, 35 

WlIlTMOKK, 

Mrs.SamuelO.213 
Whitnky, 

Esther M. 128 

Frederick E. 249 

Harriet, 105 

Jeremiah, 70 

John, 92 

John A. 137 

Mrs. John O. 260 

Lydia A. W. 141 

Pliny, 103 

WlIlTTlKK, 

Anna E. 294 

WlIITWELL. 

William, 66 



Wight, 

Danforth P. 102 

Daniel, 137 

Ebenezer, 76 

Eieazer, 86 

Frederick H. 255 

(ieorge, 195 

Mrs. Geo. F, 219 
John, 47. 53 

Miriam, 93 

Wilde. 

Atherton T. 139 

Wilder, 

David P. 178 

Gertrude P. 268 

Joseph A. 124 

Mary S. 185 

Wiley, 

Caroline R. 158 

Willakd, 

Hannah, 67 

WiLLETT, 

Phebe, 67, 68 

Williams, 

Alice L. 283 

Benjamin P. 184 

Mrs.FranklinS.243 

Wilson, 

Emily L. 189 

Harriot, 99 

John, 166 

Winchester, 

Abby F. 196 

Anna C. 196 

Jonathan, 52 



Wing, 
Irma E. 



310 



WiNSHIP, 

Adelaide E. 223 

Nancy C. M. 230 

WiNSLOW, 

Mrs.FrancisO.220 

Isabella F. 284 

WiSAVALL, 

John, 56, 57, 82 

Wood, 

Betsey, 85 

Cornelius E. 179 

Lucetta, 179 

William H. 146 

Woodbury, 

Peter L. 235 

Woodman, 

Daniel S. 119 

Mary V. 242 

Woodward, 

M rs. C hau ncey , 135 

John, 32 

Peter, 80 

Richard, Jr. 77 

William, 16 

Worcester, 

Samuel M. 104 

Worthington, 

Erastus, 189 

Wyman, 

Mrs. Geo. H. 178 



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